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He held the ball aloft. 










LAKEPORT SERIES 


The 

Baseball Boys of Lakeport 

OR 

The Winning Run 

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 

Author of 11 The Gun Club Boys of Lakeport,” “The Boat Club Boys 
of Lakeport,” “Dave Porter at Oak Hall,” “Colonial 
Series,” “Old Glory Series,” Etc. 

ILLUSTRATED BY MAX KLEPPER 



BOSTON 

LOTHROP, LEE W SHEPARD CO. 



I . ... x *r . m * T*vt- a *~ .^saaa 

u; -r.KV •■>( CONGRESS P 
Two 0' oi*>3 Received 

JUN 5 1908 

.• Guwyritfut tntr.v ** 

#»y M W* 

*»! x 1 » 


CUPT A.’ 

, m nnw v-4 - .--4*,^**, * 



Copyright, 1905, by A. S. Barnes & Co., under the Title 
“The Winning Run.” 

Copyright, 1908, by Lotiirop, Lee & Shepard Co. 


The Baseball Boys op Lakeport. 


PREFACE 


Although a complete tale in itself, this story 
forms the second volume in a series devoted to 
sports in the forest, on the water, and on the ath- 
letic field. 

In the first volume of the series, entitled, “The 
Gun Club Boys of Lakeport,” I took some boys of 
Lakeport into the depths of the forest during the 
winter months. Here, in company with a trusted 
old hunter, they succeeded in bringing down game 
of various kinds and in learning many of Nature’s 
secrets which, in the past, had been unknown to 
them. 

With the coming of summer the thoughts of the 
boys turned to baseball, and it was not long before 
an amateur nine of no mean ability was organized. 
Challenges were both sent out and received; and 
in this volume a number of the games played are 
described in detail. The rivalry, as in all small 

Y 


VI 


PREFACE 


towns, was of the “ red-hot’ ’ variety, and the par- 
ticulars are also given of a plot to injure the Lake- 
port nine and thus make them lose the most im- 
portant game of all. 

Baseball is pre-eminently an American game 
and as such will probably remain the leading ath- 
letic sport of village, town, city, school and college 
for years to come. It is not such a rough game by 
far as football, the individual plays, good and bad, 
are more readily followed, and because of these 
points it should be encouraged at every oppor- 
tunity. 

The writer of this story is a good deal of a base- 
ball ‘ 4 rooter,’ ’ and consequently the penning of 
the tale has been more of a pleasure than a task. 
Many of the plays described are such as I have 
myself seen on the diamond. In a few instances 
team work which would do credit to a professional 
nine is mentioned, but such mentioning is in strict 
conformity to facts. 


Edward Stratemeyer. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I. A Ball Game on the Green 1 

II. Harry Gets into Difficulty 18 

III. A Bit of a Mystery 28 

IV. Harry’s Secret 34 

V. Organizing the Club 43 

VI. On the Lake 55 

VII. Adventures on the Island 66 

VIII. Practicing Once More 77 

IX. A Boy and a Bull 87 

X. The First Challenge 97 

XI. The Last Day at School 107 

XII. For the Championship 118 

XIII. Paul’s Great Catch 129 

XIV. An Unexpected Encounter 142 

XV. Swimming in the Lake 152 

XVI. The Finding of the Sloop 162 

XVII. In Which the Club’s Outfit Disappears 172 

XVIII. An Exposure, and What Followed 182 

XIX. The Game at Brookside 193 

XX. Hare and Hounds 204 

XXI. Stopped by Tramps 215 

vii 


CONTENTS 


viii 

CHAPTER PAGE 

XXII. A Game and a Plot 225 

XXIII. The Kidnapping of Joe and Fred 236 

XXIV. On Pine Island Again 246 

XXV. Trying to Get Home 256 

XXVI. Preparations for the Great Game 266 

XXVII. A Race Against Time 276 

XXVIII. The Great Game Begun 286 

XXIX. The Winning Run 297 

XXX. After the Game— Conclusion 309 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


He Held the Ball Aloft Frontispiece 

Organizing the Club 44 

Down Came the Bat on the Bull's Head . . 88 

The Outfit Disafpears 177 

“Now March!” 244 

Harry Came Like a Whirlwind 308 































































































































































































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THE BASEBALL BOYS OF LAKEPORT 

CHAPTER I. 

A BALL GAME ON THE GREEN. 

“What a beautiful afternoon for a game of ball, 
Fred!” 

“Right you are, Joe. Let us see if we can’t 
scare up some of the other fellows and have a 
game,” returned Fred Rush. 

“I know Harry will be glad to play — he spoke 
about a game this morning,” went on Joe West- 
more. ‘ ‘ Have you that new ball of yours handy ? ’ ’ 

“Right here,” and Fred brought it forth and 
tossed it high in the air. “Go and get your bat 
and hurry up about it. If we can scare up enough 
fellows we can play sides.” 

“All right, you go after Link Darrow and Bart 
1 


2 THE WINNING RUN 

Mason and I’ll tell Frank Pemberton and Paul 
Shale. My ! but can ’t Paul run ! ’ ’ 

‘‘Run? Well, I just guess. He’s the best run- 
ner in Lakeport. Say, if we organized a regular 
baseball club, he’d make a dandy base runner, 
wouldn’t he?” 

“What put organizing a regular baseball club 
into your head, Fred ? ’ ’ 

“Oh, I don’t know. They have a regular club 
up to Brookside, and one over to Camdale, too. 
We ought to be able to support a club as well as 
those places.” 

“That’s exactly my idea.” Joe Westmore 
paused for a moment. “I think we could get up a 
better team here than that up to Brookside. I 
don’t know much about the fellows at Camdale.” 

“If we organized a regular club we could send 
out challenges to those other clubs and have reg- 
ular contests.” 

“If we did that we would have to fix up a reg- 
ular ball field.” 

‘ ‘ That would be easy. I know father would let 
us use the ten-acre lot back of the milk station. We 


A GAME ON THE GREEN 3 

could build a little grand stand, and have things 
in real city style/ ’ 

“If we went that far we’d want uniforms, too.” 

“We’d have to save up for the uniforms — or 
else take up a collection. I guess my father would 
give something. He used to love baseball when he 
was a boy — and he likes to look at a game still.” 

“So does my father like it. He used to be a 
pitcher on his town club. It would just be grand 
if we could get up a real good club, and fix up those 
grounds with a stand, and get uniforms and 
gloves, and masks and those things, and have a 
clubroom somewhere ” 

“Phew! but you’ve got it all cut and dried, 
Joe.” 

“We can do it — I know we can,” answered Joe 
Westmore, confidently. “Some of the boys 
laughed at us last winter, when we started to or- 
ganize our gun club. But the plan went through, 
and ” 

“We had the best outing in the woods any set 
of fellows ever had,” finished Fred Rush. “Do 
you know, I shall never forget our camp on Pine 


4 


THE WINNING RUN 


Island,” he went on. “What a lot of sport we did 
have ! If this baseball clnb would afford as much 
sport ” 

“It will.” 

i 1 Then I ’m in favor of it this minute. But come 
on, let us have our game first and talk club after- 
wards, ’ ’ added Fred, and ran off in one direction 
while Joe made off in another. 

Fred Rush was the son of a hardware dealer, 
whose establishment was located in the thriving 
town of Lakeport, situated at the foot of Pine 
Lake. Fred was a stout youth, with a round, 
ruddy face. He was generally bubbling over with 
energy and good humor and numbered a host of 
friends among those who knew him. 

Fred’s closest chums were Joe and Harry West- 
more, the sons of a local flour and feed dealer. 
The Westmores were fairly well to do, and had 
recently come into possession of valuable land 
near the head of the lake. 

As already intimated, the three boys had, dur- 
ing the previous winter, organized the Gun Club 
of Lakeport, the doings of which organization 


A GAME ON THE GREEN 5 


have already been set down by me in another vol- 
ume, entitled, “ The Gun Club Boys of Lakeport.” 
With an old hunter named Joel Runnell they set 
out for Pine Island, located near the head of the 
lake, and there spent several weeks in hunting and 
trapping game, and in fishing through the ice. 
During a part of the outing they had had with 
them two of their fellow members, Link Darrow 
and Bart Mason, and also a young Irish lad named 
Teddy Dugan. Some of their adventures had been 
perilous, but all had ended happily, and when they 
had returned to Lakeport with their game the suc- 
cess of the gun club had been the talk of the town 
for several weeks. 

4 4 Those boys are all right, ’ ’ was the comment of 
Mr. Paxton, the postmaster. 44 1 reckon a lot of 
other young fellows wish they had been along.’ ’ 

4 4 Well, I wish I had been there,” Paul Shale 
had answered, and in this declaration he had been 
joined by Frank Pemberton, Walter Bannister, 
Matt Roscoe, and half a dozen other lads of Lake- 
port, who had hung fire about going. 

The outing in the woods had been productive of 


6 


THE WINNING RUN 


one very important result. A dishonest real estate 
dealer of Brookside had been claiming some land 
which rightfully belonged to the Westmore family. 
On the island the young hunters had picked up 
some legal documents which proved the Westmore 
claim, and Hiram Skeetles, the real estate dealer, 
had been made to right the wrong done. Skeetles 
had had as his friend a bully of Lakeport named 
Dan Marcy. When the exposure came the real 
estate dealer departed for parts unknown. But 
Dan Marcy was more brazen, and as soon as the 
talk over the affair subsided he returned to the 
vicinity of Lakeport, to begin his bullying habits 
as of yore. So far he had not bothered the West- 
mores and Fred Rush, but the time was coming 
when he would do so, as we shall presently see. 

Joe found his brother Harry working over some 
photographs which he had been printing. Harry 
owned a good snap-shot camera, and during the 
outing in the woods had taken a number of really 
fine photographs, one of which had been enlarged 
and now hung framed in the parlor. 

1 4 Give it up, Harry !” he called out. “Fred 


A GAME ON THE GREEN 


7 


wants us to play ball. I’m going to drum up some 
of the other fellows and he is going to do the 
same.” 

“All right, just as soon as this picture is fin- 
ished, ’ ’ answered Harry, who was just a year and 
a day younger than his brother. “Isn’t it a 
dandy!” and he held up the print in hand. It 
represented all of the young hunters and old Run- 
nell in front of the campfire, each with a gun, ax, 
or kitchen utensil in his hand. “I’m going to send 
it to Aunt Laura. She asked me for it.” 

‘ 4 Those were surely gay old times, Harry. But 
hurry up — we don’t want to keep the others wait- 
ing. ’ ’ 

Joe ran off, to find Frank Pemberton and Paul 
Shale, who lived but a short distance away. He 
found them trying their skill at long jumping. 

i ‘ Come on, fellows, we are going to have a game 
of baseball!” he cried. “Harry and Fred are 
coming, and some of the others, too.” 

“Whoop! That’s me!” ejaculated Paul Shale. 
“There, beat that if you can, Frank!” And he 
made an extra long jump down the garden path. 


8 


THE WINNING RUN 


“Not to-day,” laughed Frank Pemberton. 
“Your legs are too long for me. But I think I can 
beat you at playing ball,” he added. 

“Can you? Come on and see,” answered Paul, 
and running up to the picket fence he cleared it at 
a bound. Frank had to go around by the gate, and 
then both boys joined Joe on his way to the field 
where the ball game was to come off. 

When they arrived, they found Fred already 
there, with Bart Mason and Link Darrow. Harry 
was also coming up, with several others, including 
Teddy Dugan, who chanced to be in town on an 
errand for his father. 

“Sure an’ I love baseball, so I do!” cried the 
Irish boy, with a twinkle of his eye. “ It ’s meself 
as is goin’ to be a professional pitcher when I 
grow up. ’ ’ 

i 1 Good for Teddy ! ’ ’ cried Link Darrow. ‘ ‘ Just 
wait till he’s the leading pitcher in the regular 
league at ten thousand a year, won’t he be some 
pumpkins ? ’ ’ And a laugh went up. 

“Are they after payin’ a ladin pitcher ten thou- 
sand a year?” asked Teddy, curiously. 


A GAME ON THE GREEN 


9 

“To be sure, Teddy,” answered Bart Mason. 
“And when they travel he gets the best room 
in the hotel, and turtle soup every day for 
dinner. ’ ’ 

“And a gold medal every time he strikes out a 
man,” added Fred. 

“And a diamond if he hits the umpire in the 
eye, ’ ’ came from J oe. 

“Now you’re pokin’ fun at me!” grumbled the 
Irish boy. “Just the same, I’m going to be a 
pitcher some day, ’ ’ he continued, brightening. 
“Mike Leary once pitched for the Red Stockings, 
of Pittsfield, an’ they paid him five dollars the 
game. ’Twas easy money, my dad said. ’ ’ 

All told, twelve boys had assembled, and it was 
speedily settled that they should choose sides, with 
Fred and J oe as leaders, one having furnished the 
bat and the other the ball. Fred’s first choice of a 
player was Harry, while Joe took Bart, and the 
other choices followed rapidly. A game of five 
innings was arranged, with Joe’s side first to the 
bat. 

“Here is where you go out in one, two, three 


10 


THE WINNING RUN 


order, ’ ’ said Fred, as he stationed himself behind 
the home plate. He had put in Harry as pitcher 
and Frank as first baseman. ‘ 4 Harry, don’t you 
favor Joe, even if he is your brother!” he called 
out. 

“No favors granted or expected!” sang out 
Harry. ‘ ‘ All ready ? ’ ’ 

“Ready,” answered Joe, who was the first 
player up. 

With care Harry sent the ball in, but it was too 
high and Joe did not strike at it. 

‘ ‘ One ball ! ’ ’ cried out the youth who had been 
selected as umpire. 

Again the ball came in. This time Joe struck 
at it and missed it. 

‘ ‘ One strike ! ’ ’ 

“What did I tell you?” exclaimed Fred, as he 
threw the ball back to the pitcher. 

Again Harry made his calculations with care. 
But Joe was on the alert and as the ball came in 
just where he wanted it he met it fairly and sent 
it sailing down to centerfield. 

“Hurrah, first blood!” yelled Bart. “Leg it, 


A GAME ON THE GREEN 11 

Joe!” And Joe did “leg it” for all he knew how 
and reached third base in safety. 

“Hi, there, stop up !” called out Harry, ruefully. 
“Don’t try to make a home run the first thing.” 

“Never mind, I’ll put him out at the home 
plate,” said Fred, but he failed to do so, and Joe 
came in when Bart made a safe hit to first base. 

Thus the game went on until the beginning of 
the third inning, when the score stood 7 to 7. 

“Sure an’ it’s a foin game, so it is!” cried 
Teddy Dugan. “It’s a real baseball club Lake- 
port ought to have, wid yourselves as mimbers.” 

“Perhaps we shall have a club,” answered Joe. 

Link was at the bat, and after he had made a 
safe hit to second, Harry followed. 

“Here comes Mr. Jadell,” remarked Frank. 
“See that you don’t hit him, or there’ll be a row.” 

Mr. Montgomery Jadell was the principal of the 
Lakeport school. He was a fussy old gentleman, 
who wore a high, silk hat on all occasions and big, 
gold-rimmed spectacles. Only a few of his pupils 
liked him, and the majority of the lads spoke of 
him as Old Stovepipe behind his back. He was a 


12 THE WINNING BUN 

bachelor and had a maiden sister named Angelina 
who kept house for him. 

‘ 4 Old Stovepipe is going to walk right across the 
ball field,’ ’ came from Paul. ‘ 4 Guess he is in a 
hurry to get home.” And evidently the school- 
master was in a hurry for he scarcely gave the 
boys a look as he passed those in the outfield. 

Harry let one ball pass him and then the sphere 
came in just where he wished it. Taking a step 
forward he swung around the bat with vigor. 
There was a sharp crack ! and away flew the ball 
over the pitcher’s head and out toward centerfield. 

“Hi! hi! look out!” yelled several voices at 
once, and the player in centerfield started to catch 
the ball. But before he could do so, it landed fair- 
ly and squarely on the school principal’s high hat, 
crushing in the top of the silk tile and sending Mr. 
Montgomery J adell flat on his back on the grassy 
field. 


CHAPTER II. 


HAKKY GETS INTO DIFFICULTY. 

‘ ‘Gracious, Harry, that’s the time you did it!” 

“Old Stovepipe’s hat is ruined forever !” 

“I’ll bet he’s madder than a nest of hornets!” 

So the talk ran on, as Harry cast away the bat 
and hurried down into the field. In the meantime 
Mr. Montgomery Jadell had scrambled up and 
was bending down looking for his spectacles, 
which had fallen off . 

“Here are your glasses, sir,” said the boy who 
was playing centerfield, as he picked them up and 
handed them over. 

“You — you young rascals!” gasped the school 
principal. “What do you mean by attacking me 
in this — this atrocious fashion?” 

“Oh, Mr. Jadell, I didn’t mean to hit you!” 
called out Harry, as he came up. 

13 


14 


THE WINNING RUN 


“Ah! so it was you who threw the ball at me, 
eh V 9 And the teacher glared savagely at the boy. 

“I didn’t throw it. I was at the bat and when 
I hit the ball it flew in this direction. ’ 9 

4 4 Humph ! it amounts to the same thing . 9 9 Mr. 
Montgomery Jadell felt of his somewhat bald 
head. 4 4 Whe — where ’s my hat ? 9 9 

4 4 Here it is, sir,” answered the fielder, and 
picked up the battered headgear. 

4 4 What ! 9 9 The principal gazed at the hat in con- 
sternation. 4 4 The — the — yes, the top is knocked 
out! Oh, you young villain! How dare you do 
such a thing ! 9 9 

“I hadn’t the slightest intention of hitting you 
or the hat, Mr. Jadell.” 

4 4 Ha! don’t tell me! I know better! Do you 
know, sir, that that hat cost me six dollars f ’ 9 The 
school principal was rather a close man and six 
dollars meant much to him. 

4 4 Well, I suppose I’ll have to get you another,” 
answered Harry ruefully. He wondered where he 
was to obtain the money. 

44 You will certainly have to do that, young man. 


HARKY IN DIFFICULTY 15 


But that is not all. Do yon think I am going to 
allow you to attack me in this fashion? No, in- 
deed !” 

“As I said before, it was an accident. I ” 

“Nonsense! I know better, Westmore. Yon 
are angry at me because I made yon stay in yes- 
terday and the day before, and I presume in your 
way you thought you’d get square.” 

“No, sir, I ” 

“Don’t contradict me, young man, don’t con- 
tradict me! I know! You shall pay for the hat; 
and I’ll settle the rest of the matter in school to- 
morrow!” And thus speaking, Mr. Montgomery 
Jadell stalked from the field, leaving the whole 
crowd of boys staring after him in wonder. 

“Isn’t he a peach, though?” came softly from 
Link. “He’s the meekest man I ever met.” 

“I guess I’ve put my foot into it,” groaned 
Harry. 1 ‘ Ten chances to one he ’ll tell father I did 
it on purpose. ’ ’ 

“Well, we can prove that you didn’t,” put in 
Fred. 

“He had a right to watch out fer himself, when 


16 THE WINNING RUN 

he was crossin’ the field/ ’ came from Teddy 
Dugan. * 4 He knew he might be hit. ’ ’ 

4 4 That ’s a fact, ’ ’ said Bart. 4 ‘ Strictly speaking, 
it was his business to keep off the field. ’ ’ 

A number of the village folks, including several 
men, had gathered around to watch the game and 
all agreed that Bart was right. 

‘ 4 This green is a playground/’ said one of the 
men. “The schoolmaster should have kept away 
from it.” 

The game was resumed and although Harry had 
lost much of his interest, he managed to play his 
position creditably and when the five innings were 
finished the score stood 11 to 12 in favor of Fred’s 
side. Fred himself had made two of the runs and 
Harry had made three. By this time it was dark, 
and the boys lost no time in scattering for their 
homes. 

“We’ll certainly have to organize a regular 
baseball club, ’ ’ said Fred to Link, 4 ‘ and the sooner 
the better. ’ ’ 

“Well, I’m in for it,” answered Link. “I’ll tell 
you where we can have our clubroom? On the top 


HARRY IN DIFFICULTY 17 

floor of my father's carpenter shop. We might 
have had onr quarters up there last winter only it 
was too cold. But it will make a dandy place dur- 
ing the summer. ’ ’ 

“That’s worth remembering, Link. Let us 
tell the other fellows, when we get together 
again. ’ ’ 

As J oe and Harry hurried homeward they talk- 
ed over the affair of the ruined silk hat. 

“How much money have you saved up, Harry?” 
asked his brother. 

“A dollar and fifty cents.” 

“I’ve got the same. That makes three dollars. 
I don’t think the hat cost more than that. Be- 
sides, it was old. ’ ’ 

“He said it cost six dollars.” 

“Oh, bother! Well, if it did, you’ll have to ask 
father for the rest of the money — or mother.” 

“I’d like to know if he went down to the store 
and told father,” went on Harry, uneasily. 

“Oh, I guess not.” 

But Joe was mistaken; Mr. Montgomery Jadell 
had lost no time in making his way to the flour and 


18 THE WINNING RUN 

feed establishment run by Horace Westmore. He 
had found Harry’s father busy over the books. 

“How do you do, Mr. Jadell,” had been Mr. 
Westmore ’s pleasant greeting. “What can I do 
for you?” 

“Please to look at that hat, Mr. Westmore!” 
And the article was slammed down on the counter. 
“Dear me! You’ve had quite an accident.” 
“Accident ? ’ ’ snorted the school principal. “No 
accident at all, sir. Your boy Harry did that, sir.” 
“Harry?” 

4 ‘ That is what I said, sir. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ How did he come to do it ? ” 

“It was done deliberately, with a baseball, just 
because I kept him after school yesterday and the 
day before.” 

At this answer Horace Westmore ’s face grew 
stern. He thought much of his sons, but he ex- 
pected them to behave themselves. 

“You are sure of this, Mr. Jadell?” 

4 ‘ I am, sir — positive. ’ ’ 

“I am sorry to hear of this. I will question 
Harry as soon as I go home.” 


HARRY IN DIFFICULTY 19 


“He has got to buy a new hat,” continued the 
teacher. 

“I will see that he does so — if it was his fault, 
as you say.” 

“Aren't you willing to take my word for 
it, Mr. Westmore?” fumed Montgomery Ja- 
dell. 

“I'd like to hear what my son has to say. You 
are sure it was not an accident f ' ' 

“I am — and he must get me a new hat very 
soon ! ' ' grumbled the school principal, and stalked 
out of the store exactly as he had stalked off of the 
ball field. He was very set in his ways and never 
willing to listen to another person's side of a 
story. 

When Joe and Harry returned home they had 
several chores to do, and having finished these 
they washed up for supper. They had scarcely 
finished when their father entered. 

“Harry, Mr. Jadell has told me a pretty bad 
story about you,” said Mr. Westmore. “What 
have you to say for yourself?” 

“It was purely an accident, father,” was the 


20 THE WINNING RUN 

youth’s reply, and told of the affair exactly as it 
had occurred. 

4 4 You are sure that you did not intend to hit 
him?” 

“I did not.” 

‘ ‘ He was in very bad humor over it. ’ ’ 

“He is always in a bad humor lately,” put in 
Joe. 

‘ 4 Why did he keep you in yesterday and the day 
before, Harry?” 

‘ ‘ Because I talked to Link Darrow once and be- 
cause I dropped the big dictionary on the floor. 
The reason I spoke to Link was because he had 
my history and couldn’t study without the book. 
I tried to explain to Mr. Jadell, but he wouldn’t 
listen. ’ ’ 

“Hum!” Mr. Westmore mused for a moment. 
“You seem to have gotten into hot water all 
around. You’ll have to get the teacher another 
silk hat.” 

“I’ll do it.” 

“Have you got the money?” 

“I ’ye got some, and Joe is going to lend me 


HARRY IN DIFFICULTY 21 


some,” answered Harry, evasively. He did not 
wish to ask his parent for a loan just then. 

4 4 Very well; you settle with the teacher and I’ll 
say no more,” said Mr. Westmore, and sat down 
to the supper table. He thought that by letting 
Harry pay for the damage done he would be teach- 
ing the boy a valuable lesson. 

4 4 You got off rather easy after all,” remarked 
Joe, when the meal was over, and he and his 
brother had gone out into the yard. 4 4 But you’ve 
got to settle with the teacher next, and raise the 
money for the hat. Where are you going to get 
that other three dollars ? ’ ’ 

4 4 Oh, I’ll raise it somehow,” answered Harry. 
4 4 But if Old Stovepipe tries to make an example 
of me to-morrow I’m not going to stand for it, I 
can tell you that ! ’ ’ 

4 4 Why don’t you go down to Mr. Carew’s store 
and find out just how much such a silk hat is 
worth. ’ ’ 

44 I’ll do it.” 

Joe had some work to do for his mother, so 
Harry went on his errand alone. Mr. Carew’s 


22 THE WINNING RUN 

establishment was of the department store va- 
riety, with one part devoted to shoes, another to 
hats, and another to general furnishings. 

* ‘ So you want to find out the price of a silk 
hat?” said the storekeeper. “Want it for your- 
self, I suppose,” and he laughed at his little joke. 

“No, Mr. Carew, I want one for Mr. Jadell. I 
spoilt his to-day and I want to get him another 
like it. ’ 9 

“Oh, yes, my clerk was telling me about that. 
Well, I reckon I can fix you up.” 

“What is such a hat worth?” 

“Well, the regular price was six dollars, but as 
it was a bit out of style I let Mr. Jadell have it for 
five.” 

“Can you get me another like it?” 

“To be sure. I’ve got the mate right in my case 
now — same style, size and all.” 

‘ ‘ Then please keep it for me until I come for it. ’ 9 

“When will you come?” \ 

“To-morrow, if I can, or else the day after.” 

“Very well, I’ll keep the hat for you,” answered 
the storekeeper. 


CHAPTER III. 


A BIT OP A MYSTERY. 

During his walk home Harry pondered in his 
mind the question of how to raise the remaining 
two dollars with which to pay for the silk hat. 
He did not wish to ask his parents for the amount 
and he felt reasonably certain that neither of his 
sisters possessed that sum. 

“I’ve got to raise it somehow/ ’ he told himself. 
He thought of Fred and his other friends, but 
shook his head. Every one of the lads spent his 
money about as fast as he received it. 

On the following day Mr. Montgomery Jadell 
appeared at the school with another silk hat — one 
he had been wearing years before. He lost no 
time in calling Harry up to his desk. 

“What do you and your folks propose to do 
about my hat?” he asked, coldly. 

23 


24 


THE WINNING RUN 


“I have already ordered another hat from Mr. 
Carew,” was Harry’s answer. “He says it will 
be exactly like the one that was ruined. I shall 
have it in a day or two. ’ 9 

“Oh, very well. Now go to yonr seat and see 
that you behave yourself, 9 ’ and Harry went, glad 
to get away thus easily. During all of that day 
the principal watched the boy closely, but Harry 
was on his guard and took care not to do anything 
for which he might be censured. 

After school the majority of the boys went off to 
play ball and other games, but Harry slipped away 
by himself and did not get home until supper time. 

“Where have you been?” asked Joe. 

“Oh, I’ve been out about that hat,” answered 
Harry, and would say no more. 

“The boys are talking baseball club stronger 
than ever,” said Joe, a little later. “Fred has an 
idea we could get up a fine nine if we tried . 9 9 

“Well, if we want a good nine for this summer 
we’ll have to get together pretty soon. It takes 
lots of practice to make a nine work together — - 
and that is what counts, they tell me.” 


A BIT OF A MYSTERY 


25 


“To be sure it does. No matter how good indi- 
vidual players are, if they can’t play in harmony 
they are sure to botch a game. Frank was telling 
me that the Brookside fellows are in practice al- 
ready. George Dixon is captain of the club. ’ ’ 

“He’s a good batter.” 

“Yes, and a good shortstop, too. Roy Willetts 
is their pitcher. They tell me he can pitch a swift 
ball.” 

“And who is going to catch for them?” 

“Little Ike Gass.” 

“What, that midget?” 

“He’s small, but he is a good one, so they say. 
I wish we had the club organized,” went on Joe. 

“ Well, the only way to do is to go ahead and 
get the fellows together, Joe. Why not issue a 
call for, say, next Saturday afternoon?” 

‘ ‘ That is what Fred suggested. But as we want 
to hold the meeting in Link’s father’s carpenter 
shop I suppose we ought to get Link to issue the 
call.” 

On the following day they talked the matter 
over with Fred and Link, and as a consequence a 


26 THE WINNING RUN 

call was issued to about a dozen boys to come to 
the 4 ‘ clubroom, ’ ’ as it was designated and help 
organize the Lakeport Baseball Club. 

“I’ll have the upper floor of the carpenter shop 
in order by that time,” said Link. “Father said 
we could fix it up to suit ourselves, as he isn’t go- 
ing to use it again until next winter. ’ ’ 

“ I ’ll help you fix it up, ’ ’ said Fred. 1 1 Just wait 
till we get going and have a little money in the 
treasury! We can have pictures on the wall and 
all sorts of athletic things — punching bags, boxing 
gloves ” 

‘ ‘ Our first money will have to be spent for bats, 
balls and uniforms,” came from Bart Mason. 
“The Brooksides have uniforms. We don’t want 
to be behind them.” 

“Well, I guess not!” ejaculated Joe. “If the 
Lakeport Baseball Club can’t have things as good 
as Brookside it had better go out of business !” 

“Exactly what I say,” was Fred’s comment. 

After school that afternoon Harry went to Mr. 
Carew’s store and purchased the silk hat for the 
school principal. 


A BIT OF A MYSTERY 27 

“You are certain this is exactly like the other 
hat?” he asked, as he paid for the purchase. 

“Yes, Harry — the two hats came out of the same 
box, as the saying goes.” 

“I don’t want to have any trouble over it — I’ve 
had trouble enough . 9 9 

“I guess Mr. Jadell is getting the best of the 
bargain. His hat must have been pretty well worn 
by this time.” 

“I suppose it was. But as I couldn’t present 
him with a secondhand hat I had to get this new 
one, ’ ’ answered Harry, and left the store with the 
headgear in a box. Not caring to take it home he 
walked directly to the teacher ’s house with it. 

“Is Mr. Jadell in?” he asked of Angelina 
Jadell, who came to answer his ring at the front 
door. 

“He is not.” 

“Well, here is a new silk hat for him, to replace 
the one that was damaged a couple of days ago.” 

“Oh! Are you the boy that knocked my 
brother’s hat from his head?” 

“Yes.” 


28 


THE WINNING RUN 


4 4 It was a wicked thing to do. ’ 9 

4 4 It was done by accident, Miss JadelL ,, 

4 4 Oh, that’s what any boy would say. If I’d 
been in my brother’s place I should have had you 
arrested. ’ ’ Miss Jadell took the box. 4 4 Is this hat 
as good as the other?” 

4 4 Mr. Carew said the two were exactly alike. 
Kindly give it to Mr. Jadell and tell him Harry 
Westmore brought it,” and without waiting for a 
reply the boy turned and hurried away. 

44 I suppose it’s paid for?” called Miss Angelina 
after him, shrilly. 

4 4 Yes, it’s paid for, and you won’t have to give 
up a cent for it ! ” cried Harry, half angrily. 4 4 Oh, 
my, what an old maid ! ” he murmured to himself. 

4 4 How I would hate to have her keeping house for 
me! No wonder Old Stovepipe is so crabbed!” 

Harry and J oe went over to the carpenter shop 
that day after school and assisted Link in cleaning 
up the place. This was no mean task, for the up- 
per room was full of shavings, bits of boards, and 
sawdust. They had also to pile up some saw- 
horses and put a number of tools in their proper 


A BIT OF A MYSTERY 29 

places in a big chest. This done they swept 
up and dusted and fixed up an end of a car- 
penter^ bench so that it could be used for a 
table. 

“Now, I guess we are ready for the meeting,’ ’ 
said Link, after the task was finished. “I wish we 
had some good pictures of baseball games to hang 
on the walls.” 

“ I ’ll tell you what I ’ll do, ’ ’ answered Joe. “I ’ll 
write to the dealers in baseball supplies for cata- 
logues of their goods and also ask them for adver- 
tising pictures. Maybe they’ll be glad to send ’em 
along. ’ ’ 

The news had circulated that our young friends 
were going to organize a baseball club, and, as was 
to be expected, it became the talk of the town. 
Many of the lads were very enthusiastic, but 
others, who had not been invited to attend the first 
meeting, “stuck up their noses” when the matter 
was mentioned to them. 

“That club won’t amount to a hill of beans,” 
said one of the big boys, a lad named Voup. 
“Why, the Westmore boys can’t play ball a little 


30 THE WINNING RUN 

bit, and that Fred Rush is too stout to do anything 

on the diamond. ’ ’ 

“Well, why don’t you organize a club then, Si?” 
asked one of Voup’s cronies. 

“Maybe I will,” answered Silas Voup. “If I 
do, will you join, Sid?” 

“To be sure I’ll join,” came from Sidney Yates. 
“Say, wouldn’t it be great if we organized a club 
and knocked the spots out of the other club,” he 
added, earnestly. 

“Reckon we can do it. I could pitch and you 
could catch, and we could get Longback Muggs for 
shortstop. That Westmore crowd wouldn’t be in 
it with us.” 

“Right you are, Si! Let us organize by all 
means. We can meet in my father’s carriage 
house.” And then and there Silas Voup and Sidney 
Yates laid their plans for organizing a rival club 
to defeat the other organization. It may be added 
here that both Voup and Yates belonged to the 
aristocratic branch of the Lakeport community. 
They considered themselves a trifle superior to the 
other boys, and spent a good deal of their pocket 


A BIT OF A MYSTERY 31 

money for cigarettes and pool playing. Their ar- 
rogant manners were the cause of the Westmores 
and Fred Rush leaving them severely alone. 

Joe was the first to go home from the carpenter 
shop, and as soon as he appeared his mother sent 
him down to his father’s store for a bag of flour. 
When the youth arrived at the store he found his 
parent very much exercised over something. 
“What’s the matter, father?” he questioned. 
“I’ve lost some money, Joe,” was the unexpect- 
ed answer. 

“Lost some money? How much?” 

“Ten or twelve dollars — I can’t exactly tell 
which. I had the bills in a tin box on the back desk 
and now the box is gone. ’ ’ 

4 4 Perhaps you put the box in some other place ? ’ ’ 
“I’ve looked about every place I can think of. 
No, the box must have been stolen. The desk is so 
close to that back window anybody could have 
reached in and taken it. ’ ’ 

“Wlien did you put the box there?” 

44 A couple of days ago. The bills were on the 
old Lumberville Bank and had your Grandfather 


32 THE WINNING RUN 

Anderson’s signature on them, and I was going to 
show them to your mother.” 

“Was there anything else in the box?” 

“Yes, an old society pin I used to wear years 
ago. That’s gone, too.” 

“When did you see the box last?” 

“I can’t remember, exactly — I’ve been so busy. 
But I am certain I put it there two days ago. I 
ought to have put it in the safe,” continued Mr. 
Westmore. 

The two hunted around the store, but could find 
no trace of the missing box. The desk upon which 
it had rested was but a few feet from an open win- 
dow, and outside was a narrow alleyway running 
to a back street. 

“Somebody must have come into the alleyway 
and taken it,” said Joe. “You didn’t see any- 
body?” 

“Not a soul. I sent Harry out there yesterday 
to pick up the rubbish. ’ ’ 

“Harry?” Joe mused for a moment. “Did — 
did Harry know the box was there?” he 
asked. 


A BIT OF A MYSTEEY 33 

‘ 1 I suppose so. By the way, what about that hat 
he was going to get for Mr. Jadell?” 

i ‘He got it and took it over to Mr. JadelPs 
house.’ ’ 

“Did he pay for it?” 

“I suppose so. He didn’t want to say much 
about it. ” J oe ’s heart began to beat rapidly. 4 4 Oh, 
father, you don’t think ” he began. 

“I guess I’ll ask Harry if he saw the box,” re- 
turned Mr. Westmore, shortly. “You had better 
run home with the bag of flour. Your mother may 
be waiting for it.” 


CHAPTER IV. 


harry’s secret. 

On his way home Joe’s thoughts were very busy. 
He well remembered that Harry had wanted two 
dollars more with which to pay for the silk hat. 
The hat had been bought. Where had his brother 
procured the needed sum ? 

“I’ll never believe he took the box — never!” he 
told himself, over and over again. 4 4 Harry is too 
honest for anything of that sort.” 

He wanted to ask his brother about the two dol- 
lars as soon as he arrived home, but, for some 
reason, could not bring himself to do so. He told 
his mother about the missing box and she became 
interested immediately. 

4 4 Some sneak thief must have taken it,” she 
said. “I declare, Lakeport is not as safe a place 
to live in as it used to be. ’ ’ 

“I saw that box when I was down to the store,” 

34 


HARRY’S SECRET 35 

said Harry. 1 6 It was not over three feet from the 
window. ’ 9 

“Did yon see anybody in the alleyway ?” asked 
Joe. 

“No,” answered Harry, and then he turned 
away to bring in some wood for the wood-box. He 
had his arm full of sticks when his father came 
into the yard. 

“Harry!” called out Mr. Westmore. “Wait a 
minute ; I want to speak to you . 9 9 

“Yes, sir,” and the boy stopped short. 

“I want to ask you about that hat you bought 
for Mr. Jadell. Did you pay for it?” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“Where did you get the money?” 

“Why — I — I — had some and Joe lent me some,” 
stammered Harry and turned red. 

“How much did Joe lend you?” 

“A dollar and a half.” 

“What did you pay for the hat?” 

“Five dollars.” 

“Did you have the other three dollars and a half 
saved up?” 


36 


THE WINNING BUN 


“No, sir, but — but — oh, father, I wish you 
wouldn’t ask me about it!” cried Harry, in confu- 
sion. 

‘ 4 How much did you have saved up ? ’ ’ demanded 
Mr. Westmore, sharply. 

“A dollar and a half.” 

“Then where did you get the other two dol- 
lars?” 

“"Why, I — oh, please don’t ask me, father. I — 
I ” 

1 ‘ Harry, I want you to answer me. ’ ’ Mr. West- 
more ’s tone was very stern. “Did you touch the 
tin box on the back desk at the store ? ’ ’ 

Harry stared at his father in perplexity for a 
moment. Then he dropped the wood, one stick 
after another. 

“Me touch that box?” he said, slowly. “Me? 
No, sir, I didn’t touch the box ! I — I — father !” 

The last word was full of fear — fear that he was 
being suspected by his own father of being a thief. 
But Mr. Westmore did not notice. 

‘ 4 Then where did you get that two dollars ? An- 


swer me. 


HARRY’S SECRET 


37 


“I — I got it — and I never touched your old 
box !” came in a jerk from Harry. 4 4 You — you’re 
mean to suspect me, mean!” And he ran back to 
the wood-pile and then to the barn. Here he came 
to a halt, his breath coming hard and fast. His 
cheeks were burning and his mind was in a whirl. 

“To think I took his money!” he muttered. 
“That / took it! Oh, what a shame! I’ll never, 

never ” He could not finish. “What will 

mother say?” And then the tears came into his 
eyes. 

Mr. Westmore was a stern man, but he loved his 
sons and in the past he had trusted them implicit- 
ly. He started to enter the house, then reconsid- 
ered the matter and followed Harry to the barn. 
Here it was so dark he could scarcely see. 

“Harry!” 

No answer came back, and he repeated the call 
several times. 

‘ 4 Go away and leave me, ’ ’ came from the corner 
where the feed box was located. * ‘ I — I don ’t want 
you to — to speak to me!” 

“Harry, let us talk this over.” Mr. Westmore ’s 


38 


THE WINNING RUN 


voice was unusually kind. He walked over to the 
feed box. ‘ 4 You are doing wrong to fly into such a 
passion over this, my son.” 

“You think I — 1 took that box?” 

“No, I don’t think so. You said you didn’t 
touch it, and I have always believed you.” 

“But you think I got the two dollars from the 
box.” 

“No, Harry. But don’t you think I have a right 
to know where you do get your money? If you 
came by it honestly — and I don’t think anything 
differently — you ought not to be ashamed to tell 
me where you did get it. I only ask because I feel 
it is my duty to know what you are doing. ’ ’ 

To this Harry did not answer. 

“Of course, if you wish to keep the matter a 
secret, you can do so. But, it seems to me, that 
you are not treating me exactly as you should,” 
went on Mr. Westmore. “I am doing my best by 
you, giving you a good home and a good education, 
and allowing you to have plenty of sport, and — ” 

“Well, father, I’ll tell you the whole thing,” in- 
terrupted Harry. ‘ ‘ But — but I wish you wouldn ’t 


HARRY’S SECRET 


39 


tell the others. They may laugh at me.” His 
anger was fast dying out. “I went and put my 
camera in pawn, over to Camdale. The pawn- 
broker, Mr. Levy, lent me three dollars on it. I’ve 
got the pawn ticket in my pocket/ ’ 

At this declaration Mr. Westmore smiled broad- 
ly, although Harry could not see him, owing to the 
darkness. There was something comical to him in 
Harry putting up his precious camera in order to 
raise money with which to buy the school principal 
a new silk hat. Had it not been for hurting his 
son’s feelings he would have laughed outright. 

“I see,” he answered. “Why didn’t you come 
to me for the amount ? ’ ’ 

“WTiy, I — I didn’t think you’d care to give it to 
me.” 

“I don’t like a member of our family to patron- 
ize a pawnbroker. To-morrow I’ll give you three 
dollars and you can go and get the camera back. ’ ’ 

“Oh, thank you, father! And you won’t say 
anything to the others about it 1 ” 

“Not a word, Harry.” 

“You’re a good old dad!” cried the boy, and 


40 


THE WINNING RUN 


clasped his hand gratefully. 1 1 1 — I guess I was a 
chump not to tell you the whole truth from the 
start,’ ’ he added. 

“It would have saved this misunderstanding, 
Harry. But come, supper must be waiting. ’ ’ 

“I’ll get the wood in in a jiffy,” said Harry, 
and ran to the wood-pile once more. Soon he had 
all he could carry, and his father came after him 
with several heavy sticks. 

“I can’t make out who took that box,” said Mr. 
Westmore later on to his wife and family. “Harry 
didn’t see anybody in the alleyway and neither did 
I or Johnson.” Johnson was an old man who 
worked at the store. 

“You can be thankful you didn’t lose more,” 
said Mrs. Westmore. “Was the society pin worth 
much?” 

“About three dollars. I think I’ll have the black- 
smith put up some iron bars over that window. 
Otherwise a thief could get in there some time and 
rob the store,” went on Mr. Westmore. 

Joe was glad to see that his father did not sus- 
pect Harry. He wondered where his brother had 


HARRY’S SECRET 


41 


procured the rest of the money, but came to the 
conclusion that Harry had borrowed it from some 
of his school chums. 

Laura Westmore, who was a little younger than 
the boys, had been invited to take a sail on the lake 
by a gentleman who owned a fair-sized yacht. She 
now came back from the trip, which had lasted for 
three hours. 

“We had a delightful time!” she ejaculated, 
‘ 1 and I ’m as hungry as a bear. There were eight 
of us, and we sailed up the lake for several miles, 
and Mr. Felding let me handle the tiller part of the 
time. And what do you think? We passed a small 
sloop, the Vixen, from Rudd’s Landing, and who 
do you think was on board ? That big, overgrown 
bully, Han Marcy.” 

“Dan Marcy!” cried Joe and Harry, simultane- 
ously. 

“So that good-for-nothing young fellow has 
come back to these parts,” put in Mr. Westmore. 
“I was in hopes that Lakeport had seen the last 
of him. ’ ’ 

“I heard that he was back several days ago,” 


42 THE WINNING RUN 

said Mrs. Westmore. 4 ‘Mrs. Darrow mentioned it. 
Said he looked pretty well run down and seedy. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ He was just horrid, ’ ’ went on Laura. ‘ ‘ When 
his boat came up to us he called out, ‘How do you 
do, ladies V just as if he was a close friend.” 

“I hope you didn’t answer him,” said Joe. 

“Indeed I didn’t, and neither did the other girls. 
Mr. Felding told him to keep off or he’d run into 
us. Marcy didn’t like that, and when he sailed 
away he yelled after us, ‘Think you’re all some 
pumpkins, don’t you? Well, I reckon I’m as good 
as any of you ! ’ ” 

‘ ‘ His impudence always was monumental, ’ ’ was 
Harry’s comment. “If he comes back to Lake- 
port he has got to learn to keep his distance. ’ ’ 

“If I were you, boys, I should have nothing to 
do with him,” came from Mr. Westmore. “He is 
a bad egg, and if you give him half a chance he 
will be sure to make trouble for you. Better not 
notice him. ’ ’ 

“Well, he has got to let Laura alone,” said Joe. 

“If he bothers Laura I’ll attend to him myself,” 
answered Mr. Westmore. 


CHAPTER V. 


ORGANIZING THE CLUB. 

Promptly on time on the following Saturday 
the boys who had been invited to do so gathered at 
Link Darrow’s place and mounted the stairs lead- 
ing to the second floor of the carpenter shop. 

4 ‘This is all right !” exclaimed Walter Bannis- 
ter, as he gazed around. “Somebody must have 
worked hard to get this clubroom into ship- 
shape.’ ’ 

“Yes, but we have got to work harder yet to get 
the club into shape, ’ ’ put in Fred. ‘ ‘ This is going 
to be no go-as-you-please affair. If we form our 
club and then let the clubs from other towns defeat 
us — why, we’ll never hear the end of it, that’s all.” 

“Who’s talking defeat already?” demanded 
Bart Mason. “Anybody who says defeat ought to 
be put out. ’ ’ 


43 


44 


THE WINNING RUN 


‘ 1 That ’s the talk ! ’ ’ cried Paul Shale. He swung 
himself up on the end of the big carpenter ’s bench. 
“We are going to win every game we play.” 

“Bully for Paul!” came from Matt Roscoe. 
“Nothing like tooting your horn, even if you 
haven’t any fish to sell.” 

4 ‘ Here ’s a bouquet for you ! ’ ’ sang out Matt, and 
threw a block of wood at him. “Now then, what’s 
the first thing to do anyway?” 

“The first thing to do is to behave yourself,” 
answered Link. 

“All right, I’ll say nothing and saw wood,” said 
Frank Pemberton, and went through the motion of 
sawing. 

“Now let up, all of you ! ’ ’ burst out Joe. “ This 
isn’t a negro minstrels ” 

“Great Caesar! he takes us for coons,” inter- 
rupted Matt. 4 ‘ Ma beloved brefren, dis am an out- 
rage !” he added, in negro dialect. “I’se gwine to 
pass an amendment to de Constitution dat ” 

“If you open your mouth again I’ll vote to take 
you down in the back yard and duck you in the 
cistern ! ’ ’ came from Fred. ‘ ‘ Really, fellows, ’ ’ he 



Organizing the club. 






0 E GAN I Z I N G THE CLUB 45 

continued, calmly, “let us settle down to busi- 
ness.” 

“That’s it — to business!” cried half a dozen. 
“We can have our fun after the meeting is over.” 

“Well, what is there to do!” questioned Frank, 
after a pause. 

“I move we make Link Darrow temporary 
chairman,” came from Bart. “It’s his clubroom.” 

‘ ‘ Second the motion ! ’ ’ came from Fred. 

“All in favor raise their right hands,” said Joe, 
and every hand went up instantly. 

“Teacher, can I go out!” came softly from 
Matt. “I dropped my chewing gum out of the 
window. ’ ’ 

“As chairman of this meeting I fine Matt Ros- 
coe five cents for that interruption,” said Link. 
“All fines can go towards equipping the club.” 

‘ ‘ Oh, dear ! that ’s where I put my foot into it, ’ ’ 
grumbled Matt. “I shan’t open my trap again.” 

6 i It seems to me that the chairman needs a gavel 
with which to keep order,” said Frank. “Here 
you are,” and reaching down into a nearby tool 
chest he brought forth a large wooden hammer. A 


46 


THE WINNING RUN 


roar of laughter went up, and Link had to pound 
for silence, which he proceeded to do with vigor. 

44 A baseball club needs a captain, a secretary 
and a treasurer/ ’ said Link when the boys 
were all attention. 44 Nominations for a cap- 
tain, who shall also act as president, are now in 
order.” 

“I nominate Joe Westmore,” came from Fred 
promptly. 

“I nominate Link Darrow,” came from Joe. 

“I decline the nomination,” answered Link. 
“Pm going to vote for Joe.” 

4 4 So am I, ’ ’ put in Frank. 4 4 1 don ’t know enough 
to be captain . 1 ’ 

“I second the nomination of Joe Westmore,” 
came from Paul Shale. 4 4 He is the fellow for the 
place, boys,” he added, earnestly. 4 4 He knows 
more about baseball than any of us.” 

4 4 Any more nominations?” asked Link, gravely. 

There was a moment of silence. 

4 4 Let us make Joe’s election unanimous,” sug- 
gested Frank. 

4 4 That’s the talk!” was the cry. 4 4 Hurrah for 


ORGANIZING THE CLUB 47 

Captain Joe Westmore, of the Lakeport Baseball 
Club ! 9 9 

i ‘ Gracious me ! ’ ’ gasped Link. 4 ‘ I forgot ! We 
ought to have organized the club first. We don’t 
know who is a member and who isn’t yet.” 

“Oh, we’re all members,” came from Bart. “I 
guess it’s carried that Joe is our captain,” he 
added. 

“Yes,” said Link. “Joe, come up and take the 
chair. ’ ’ 

“Thanks, but I don’t see the chair,” said Joe, 
gravely, and this brought forth a laugh. ‘ 1 FelloW 
members of the Lakeport Baseball Club, I thank 
you for the honor you have done me, and ” 

“Thank you, Joe, you can treat to ice-cream 
some other time,” interrupted Matt. “Much 
obliged just the same.” 

“I was going to say, we now need a secretary 
and a treasurer. Nominations for secretary will 
first be in order.” 

There was a little wrangle over this, but finally 
Bart was selected for the position, as he was a 
good and rapid writer. Then Fred was elected 


48 THE WINNING EUN 

treasurer. After that Link was made steward of 
the club. 

“What does the steward do?” asked Link. 

“Keeps the clubroom in order and holds the 
key to the same, ’ ’ answered Frank. 

“Oh! Well, you fellows have got to help keep 
the place clean, and you’ll find the key to the shop 
on a nail in our wash kitchen, ’ ’ answered Link. 

A set of by-laws were drawn up and the initia- 
tion fee was placed at twenty-five cents, which 
each boy promised to pay in on the following Sat- 
urday. A committee was also appointed to see 
what could be done towards raising money for 
suits and also for the other articles which would 
be needed. It was decided to go into regular prac- 
tice every day after school hours, and the various 
positions of the players were not to be assigned to 
them until after Captain Joe could determine 
what were each player’s strongest and weakest 
points. 

“I am going to show no favors,” said Joe, sob- 
erly. “Iam going to do my level best — not only 
for the sake of the club, but also for the sake of our 


ORGANIZING THE CLUB 49 

town. We have got to do all we can to beat the 
Brookside Club, and likewise the clubs from Cam- 
dale and other places.’ ’ 

‘ 4 The Brookside fellows are mostly larger than 
we are,” came from Paul. 

“Even so, we must beat them if we can.” 

“Of course we are going to play only amateur 
nines, ’ ’ said Bart. 

“ To be sure. We ’d stand no show at all against 
professionals,” answered Harry. 

Altogether twelve boys had joined the club, but 
several of these were not overly enthusiastic and 
were quite willing to be placed “on the bench,” as 
it is termed, as substitutes. The first meeting was 
declared a great success, and all of the boys went 
home feeling that Lakeport was to be represented 
by a real baseball club at last. 

“I don’t know where we are to get our initiation 
fees,” said Joe to his brother. “I don’t suppose 
you’ve got any money left?” 

“Yes, Joe; father lent me a little,” answered 
Harry. He was glad of a chance to mention the 
fact. 


50 


THE WINNING RUN 


“Dh!” 

“I can let yon have fifty cents,” and Har- 
ry brought out that sum and handed it 
over. 

Sunday passed quietly, the majority of the boys 
going both to church and Sunday-school. So far 
Harry had had no chance to get back his camera 
and he resolved to go after it on Monday, directly 
after school. 

“I’ve got an errand to do,” he told Joe. “You’ll 
have to get along without me on the ball field, ’ ’ and 
he hurried away before his brother could question 
him. 

It was a long walk to Camdale and Harry was 
glad enough to “get a lift” on a farm wagon that 
happened to be passing, the turnout being driven 
by Andy Dugan, the father of Teddy, already in- 
troduced. 

“Ride be all means, me lad,” said Mr. Dugan. 
“Sure an’ ’twill save shoe leather if nothin’ 
more.” 

“Thank you, Mr. Dugan.” 

“It’s me son Teddy was tellin’ me ye are gittin’ 


ORGANIZING THE CLUB 51 


up a baseball club,” went on Andy Dugan, as he 
whipped up his horse. 

“Yes.” 

“Sure an’ ye be great boys. First it was the 
Gun Club an’ now it’s a Baseball Club. Well, if 
ye have as good luck wid ball playin ’ as ye had wid 
huntin’ sure an’ it will be foin.” 

4 ‘ Did you ever play ball, Mr. Dugan f ’ ’ 

“Jest wanct, lad, jest wanct. It was in the old 
toimes when they hit a feller to put him out. I 
was runnin’ fer me loif from base to base whin the 
ball took me in the schmall av the back an’ bowled 
me over loike a noine pin. That give me enough 
av the game, an’ I ain’t played since.” 

“They don’t hit the players with the ball any 
more.” 

“I know that same, Harry, but I’m too old for 
the game anyway. It’s Teddy might make a good 
player. If ye want an extry hand better give him 
a trial.” 

“ I ’ll remember that, Mr. Dugan. ’ ’ 

On the outskirts of Camdale the two separated 
and Harry made his way to the pawnbroking es- 


52 THE WINNING RUN 

tablishment of Moses Levy. It was located on a 
side street, between a saloon and a clothing estab- 
lishment. 

“Veil, mine young friend, vat can I do for you 
to-day ?” questioned the Jew, coming forward and 
rubbing his hands. 

“I want to get my camera back,” answered 
Harry, briefly, and surrendered his ticket with the 
money. 

“Ah, you didn’t need dot monish long, did 
you?” said Moses Levy, as he shuffled back to get 
the pawned article. 

“No.” 

“You vos more fortunate dan most people. Here 
you are. Shall I wrap it up ? ” 

“No,” said Harry, and, turning on his heel, he 
started for the door. 

“Ven you vants anudder loan ton’t forget 
Moses Levy,” said the Jew. “I alvays treats you 
right . 9 9 

Once outside of the shop, Harry paused to make 
certain that the camera was in the same condition 
as when he had placed it in pawn. 


ORGANIZING THE CLUB 53 

•‘Hullo there, Harry Westmore, what are you 
doing in the pawnshop ?” called out a voice close 
by. A young man had come from the saloon and 
was gazing at the boy in curiosity. 

Harry looked up and saw the bullying face of 
Dan Marcy. The fellow was shabbily dressed and 
was puffing away at a cheap cigar. 

“My business is none of your business, Dan 
Marcy,’ ’ said Harry, sharply, before he had 
stopped to think twice. 

“Oh, you needn’t get high-toned,” sneered the 
bully. 

“If you don’t like my manner don’t talk to me.” 

“Think you are big just because you and your 
crowd tricked me an’ Skeetles at Pine Island, don’t 
you?” continued Dan Marcy, drawing closer. 
“Just let me tell you that I ain’t forgettin’ that!” 

‘ ‘ What do you mean ? ’ ’ 

“Never mind what I mean — I ain’t forgettin’ it, 
that’s all.” 

“You had better keep your distance. If you 
don’t my folks will have the law on you, Dan 
Marcy!” 


54 


THE WINNING RUN 


“ Humph! you can’t scare me, Harry Westmore. 
I’m coming back to Lakeport soon, and then I’ll 
show you what I can do ! ” muttered the bully, and 
then he turned and walked away. 

“What a miserable creature he is,” thought 
Harry as he started for home. “It’s too bad that 
he is coming back to Lakeport. I suppose he can 
make a whole lot of trouble if he sets out for it.” 


CHAPTER VI. 


ON THE LAKE. 

Every day after school the boys practiced on the 
field which they had selected for their ball ground. 
Very often other boys would come to watch them, 
and various were the comments made. 

“They are all right, and they’ll give the Brook- 
side Club and the Camdale Club a warm tussle,” 
said one. 

“Oh, they can’t play at all,” said another. “Just 
you wait and see the club Si Voup is getting up.” 

“Is he getting up a club?” 

“Sure he is — he and Sidney Yates. They are 
going to sweep everything, too, when the proper 
time comes.” 

What the boy said about Si Voup getting up a 
club was true. Angered to think that he had not 
been asked to joint the Lakeports, Voup organized 

55 


56 THE WINNING RUN 

his club without delay, he being the pitcher and 
Sidney Yates the catcher. As the crowd had plenty 
of money they soon procured uniforms and bats, 
balls, masks, protectors, gloves and other things 
which go to equip a first-class team. 

4 1 We ’ll show ’em who are the champions of 
Lakeport,” said Si Youp. “ We’ll beat them out 
of their hides ! ’ ’ 

Joe’s club soon heard about the rivals and 
about the elegant outfit which had been purchased. 
In the meantime the boys went around among 
their folks and managed to raise forty-five 
dollars. 

“That’s a pretty fair sum,” said Fred. “But 
we ought to have a little more. Outfits worth using 
will cost at least six dollars per player, and we’ll 
want ten or fifteen dollars for extras.” 

No boy living in the vicinity of the lake was 
more enthusiastic over the club than Teddy Du- 
gan. By common consent Teddy was made a mem- 
ber without paying any initiation fee, and Harry 
called him the club’s mascot. During a game 
Teddy was to look after the bats and other arti- 


ON THE LAKE 57 

cles, and he likewise promised to do all he could to 
get the grounds in readiness for the first match. 

“ Which puts me in mind that we mustn’t forget 
the grand stand,” said Frank. “No grounds is 
complete without a stand. ’ 9 

“My father says he will build the stand if we’ll 
furnish the lumber,” returned Link. 

4 4 The lumber will cost a nice penny, ’ ’ came from 
Bart. “I wish I could find a pocketbook with about 
a hundred dollars in it. That would just set us on 
our feet. ’ ’ 

“Day dreams!” cried Joe. “Bart, you are in 
Lakeport, not in a story book. ’ ’ 

“Well, why can’t I find a pocketbook? You 
found those papers up to Pine Island last winter, 
and they were mighty valuable.” 

“That’s true, too.” 

“Speaking of Pine Island, what’s the matter 
with taking a trip up there next Saturday?” came 
from Paul Shale. “My uncle said he would lend 
us his big sloop if we wanted it. We could take 
our lunch and have a dandy time.” 

4 ‘ Fine ! ’ ’ came in a shout from half a dozen. 


58 


THE WINNING RUN 


“What about practicing ?” asked Joe. 

At this the faces of the others fell, and for a 
moment there was a dead silence. 

‘ i Let us practice in the morning and go directly 
after dinner/ ’ suggested Harry, and this was 
agreed upon without further question. Some of 
the boys had to get up very early — in order to do 
their regular chores — but nobody complained. 

So far the practicing had been more for posi- 
tions than anything else. Nearly every lad had 
tried his ability at pitching, catching and as short- 
stop and first baseman. But it was soon realized 
that only two or three could pitch well and that 
not more than that number were good in the other 
positions. On the other hand, several were excel- 
lent field players and could catch “running flies’ ’ 
with considerable credit. 

“I’ll decide on how the places shall be filled next 
week,” said Joe. “It’s going to be a hard matter, 
but I’ll do my best. I hope everybody will be satis- 
fied. Of course we haven’t got to keep to our one 
formation throughout the whole season.” 

The sloop to take the boys up the lake was a 


ON THE LAKE 59 

comfortable craft named the Sprite. She was not 
new, but had recently been painted and she had a 
new mainsail. 

The party was composed of eight boys, includ- 
ing Joe, Harry, Fred and Paul. They sailed away 
before one o’clock, and soon Lakeport was left in 
the distance. It was a clear, bright day and the 
breeze was just strong enough to make things 
lively. 

“I’ll tell you what Lakeport ought to have,” re- 
marked Fred. “A good boat club. They have one 
at Brookside.” 

4 4 That ’s so ! ” cried Paul. 4 4 Perhaps next year 
we can organize such a club. ’ ’ 

4 4 We could have all sorts of contests,” came 
from Link, who was of the party. 4 4 Not only among 
ourselves, but with the other towns and villages 
on the lake shore.” 

4 4 Well, you fellows want to pay attention to 
baseball this season,” put in Joe. 4 'One thing at 
a time.” 

All of the boys knew more or less about a boat, 
and they took turns in handling the Sprite. They 


60 THE WINNING RUN 
passed several other craft, including a small row- 
boat in which the old hunter, Joel Runnell, and 
his daughter Cora were seated. 

“How are ye, boys?” shouted the old hunter 
/ 

and waved his hand. 

“How are you?” several shouted back, and 
tipped their caps to Cora, who smiled sweetly. 

‘ 1 1 hear ye have a baseball club, ’ ’ went on Run- 
nell. “ I ’ll have to stop over some day and see ye 
play. ’ ’ 

“Do!” called out Joe. “You must come, too,” 
he added to Cora. 

“Thank you, I’ll be sure to come,” answered the 
girl. 

“Where are ye bound?” continued Joel Run- 
nell. 

“Up to Pine Island.” 

“They tell me that Dan Marcy has been hangin’ 
out up there. ’ ’ 

“Marcy!” cried several of the boys. 

“Yes.” 

“I don’t want to meet Marcy,” said Harry. 

“I’m not afraid of him,” put in Joe, quickly. 


ON THE LAKE 61 

“He can mind his own business and we’ll mind 
ours.” 

The two boats were now drifting apart and no 
more was said. J oel Runnell continued on his way 
toward Lakeport and the Sprite headed once again 
for the island. 

The breeze was growing stronger, and inside of 
an hour it was blowing twice as hard as when they 
had started. It made the spray fly over the for- 
ward deck and more than one boy was caught. 

“Gracious! this is a regular shower bath!” 
cried Paul. “Here, let me take the tiller. We 
don’t want to ship any more water than we can 
help.” 

“I hope we don’t get a storm,” came from 
Harry. “They say they are pretty nasty if you 
catch them out here. ’ ’ 

“A storm on any lake is nasty,” returned Joe. 
“I got that from Bob Prestley, who has been on a 
dozen or more, in different sections of the coun- 
try.” 

“It won’t be any fun to land if it rains,” came 
from Link. 


62 


THE WINNING RUN 


“It will be just as much fun as to stay on the 
sloop,’ ’ answered another of the crowd. “But I 
don’t think it will rain.” 

At last they came in sight of Pine Island, a nar- 
row strip of land lying half a mile oft the western 
shore of the lake. The island was low at either 
end, with something of a hill in the middle. Thick 
pine trees graced the hill, giving the island its 
name, and other trees lined the shores, with heavy 
brushwood between. 

There was a cove on the eastern side of the 
island, where landing was easy, and to this cove 
Paul steered the Sprite. As they came closer he 
ordered the others to take in the jib and lower the 
mainsail, and the momentum of the craft carried 
her directly to a good anchorage. Joe threw out a 
boathook with a rope, and they made fast to a tree. 

“Now we can go ashore,” said Paul. “Don’t 
forget to take the lunch baskets with you.” 

“ As if we ’d forget them ! ’ ’ cried Fred. ‘ 4 A sail 
on the lake always makes me tremendously hun- 
gr y.” 

“This neighborhood looks a good deal different 


ON THE LAKE 


63 


from what it did last winter,” remarked Joe, as 
he gazed aronnd. 4 4 Then everything was covered 
with ice and snow.” 

To get a good look at the surroundings the boys 
decided to climb to the top of the hill. This was 
not such an easy task, owing to the closeness of 
the trees and brushwood. 

4 4 Phew ! don ’t go so fast ! ’ ’ panted Fred. 4 4 1 ’m 
all out of wind ! ’ ’ 

44 And I’ve torn my sleeve,” came from Paul. 

They paused for awhile, at the same time listen- 
ing to the wind as it moaned through the pines. 

44 I’m going to be the first at the top !” cried Joe, 
when they started again. 4 4 Come on, who will race 
me?” 

Harry and Fred followed, but soon the stout 
youth fell behind. Then Joe came out at a bit of a 
clearing and mounted a big flat rock. 

4 4 Hurrah! I’ve won!” he cried, swinging his 
cap in the air. 4 4 What is the prize?” 

44 A ham sandwich,” answered Link, who was 
carrying one of the lunch baskets. 4 4 Here you 
are,” and he handed it out. 


64 


THE WINNING BUN 


‘‘Let us rest a bit before eating anything,’ ’ said 
Frank. “A fellow can’t eat when he is out of 
wind. ’ ’ 

‘ 4 Humph ! I can eat any time, ’ ’ grumbled Fred. 
‘ ‘ Try me and see. ’ ’ 

“If we had a spyglass we could see for a 
long distance from here,” remarked Link, as he 
mounted the rock beside Joe. “What a fine view 
it is!” 

“Unless I miss my guess a storm is com- 
ing up,” announced Joe, with a keen look at 
the western sky. “It’s getting black over 
there. ’ ’ 

“Oh, don’t scare us to death,” put in Harry. 
“Maybe it will blow off in some other direction.” 

“No, it is heading directly this way. Don’t you 
think so, Fred ? ’ ’ 

“It certainly is coming toward the island,” an- 
swered the stout youth. 

“I hope the sloop isn’t in danger,” came from 
Paul. “I don’t want anything to happen to her 
while she is in my care. ’ ’ 

“Wonder if I can see the sloop from here?” 


ONTHELAKE 65 

mused Joe. He turned around and gazed down to- 
wards the cove. 4 ‘ Oh, Paul ! ’ ’ 

“What is it!” came quickly from the other 
youth. 

“The sloop is gone!” 

/ 


/ 


CHAPTEB VII. 

ADVENTURES ON THE ISLAND. 

4 ‘Do you mean to tell me the Sprite is not at 
the cove?” demanded Paul, leaping to his feet 
from the log upon which he had been resting. 

“If she is, 1 can’t see her,” answered Joe. 

“Neither can I see the boat,” added Fred. 

“Let me take a look.” 

The others were willing and made room on the 
rock for their companion. Paul gazed down to the 
cove and strained his eyes to their utmost. 

“Well?” asked several, impatiently. 

“Gone, just as sure as guns!” he ejaculated at 
last. ‘ ‘ Where can she be ? ” 

“There’s a sailboat away out on the lake,” an- 
nounced Link. “Can that be the Sprite?” 

All turned in the direction indicated. The craft 
was headed directly away from them, so it was 

C6 


ISLAND ADVENTURES 67 

hard to determine just what manner of boat she 
could be. 

“She certainly looks like the Sprite,” said Paul, 
slowly. “I’m going down to the cove to see about 
this, ’ ’ he continued, leaping off the rock. 

“We’ll all go,” put in Harry. “If the boat is 
gone how are we to get back home ? ’ ’ 

All of the lads looked at each other in consterna- 
tion. Not one had thought of this before. 

“Well, staying here over night will be no nov- 
elty to me,” said Fred. 

“But our folks will be worried over us,” came 
from Link. 

“Yes, I promised to be back by nine o’clock 
sure,” added another of the party. 

“What can’t be cured must be endured,” said 
another. 

“I’m sure I tied that boat good and tight,” said 
Joe. “I was very particular about it, Paul.” 

“I know you were, Joe, for I looked at the rope 
myself, before coming away,” answered Paul 

Shale. “If the boat is gone ” He did not 

finish* 


68 


THE WINNING RUN 


“If she couldn’t drift away somebody must have 
taken her,” said Bart. 

“Don’t you remember what Joel Runnell said?” 
shouted Harry. 1 4 1 mean about Dan Marcy hang- 
ing out up here ? ’ ’ 

“I was thinking of him,” said Paul. “Do 
you really think he would dare to take the 
sloop?” 

“That chap would dare to do anything — if he 
thought he wouldn’t he caught,” answered Joe. 
“ He is a thoroughly bad egg. ’ ’ 

By this time the whole party was well on the 
way dowm the hill. As they reached the bottom 
they noted that the sky to the westward was much 
overcast. 

“We are sure to catch that storm now,” re- 
marked Fred, “and when it comes I guess it will 
be a corker.” 

“Which proves the old saying that it never 
pours but what we have a flood,” grumbled Frank. 
“Losing the sloop is bad enough, without any more 
troubles. ’ ’ 

At last they reached the cove and all gazed 


ISLAND ADVENTURES 69 

blankly at the spot where the Sprite had ridden at 
anchor such a short while before. 

“Gone, that’s all there is to it,” said Joe, who 
was the first to speak. 

“Here are some footprints along the shore,” 
said Link, who was examining the ground. 1 1 See, 
they come from back of yonder bushes.” 

“Only one pair of feet,” said Harry. “That 
would seem to prove that only one person sailed 
away with the sloop. ’ 7 

“You must be right, Harry,” said Paul. “And 
that person must have been Dan Marcy . 9 1 

“We can’t prove that — just yet,” said another 
of the crowd. 

They looked around, but could find nothing 
which might give them a clew to the one who had 
taken the boat. Then they looked at each other. 

“Is there another boat around here?” asked 
Bart. “Even a rowboat will do — anything to get 
to the mainland in. ’ ’ 

“I don’t know of any boat,” answered Joe. 

Neither did any of the other boys, and it was 
decided to skirt the shore of the island for some 


70 THE WINNING RUN 

distance on the lookout for a craft of any kind. 
But the search proved unsuccessful, and at last 
Joe called a halt. 

“It’s beginning to rain!” cried Fred. “We’ve 
got to get to some sort of a shelter, or we’ll get 
soaked.” 

“Let us see if our shelter from last winter is 
still standing,” said Harry. “I don’t mean Snow 
Lodge, but the shelter by the cliff. ’ ’ 

“Two Tree Lodge,” said Fred. “I don’t see 
why it shouldn’t be standing, and it will make a 
good shelter from this storm.” 

Joe, Harry and Fred knew the way well and the 
others followed in their footsteps. They had to 
climb over some rough rocks and then jump a 
small brook. Just as they came in sight of the 
shelter the rain began to come down heavily. 

“Hurrah! the shelter is 0. K.” came from Fred. 
‘ 1 Come on in, fellows, out of the wet. ’ ’ 

The shelter, as my old readers know, was com- 
posed of two heavy trees which leaned up against 
a cliff twenty to twenty-five feet in height. The 
under limbs of the trees had been chopped off and 


ISLAND ADVENTURES 


71 

piled on top, and large quantities of brushwood 
had been added. During the winter snow had been 
heaped over the brushwood, but now this was of 
course gone. 

“ Hullo, somebody has had a camp-fire in here !” 
cried Joe, as he entered. 4 ‘See, the ashes are still 
hot!” 

“Yes, and here are several cans and cups,” 
added Fred. “Somebody has surely been living 
here. Wonder if it was Dan Marcy?” 

“More than likely, although other folks come 
here, too, ’ ’ added another of the crowd. ‘ 1 This is 
certainly cozy enough!” he continued, gazing 
around admiringly. “And the name, Two Tree 
Lodge, just fits it . 9 9 

‘ 6 J ust listen to the rain ! ’ 9 exclaimed Joe. “We 
didn’t get here any too quick.” 

It was a hard shower, and at the end of half an 
hour it was raining as steadily as ever. With the 
coming of the shower the wind at first died down, 
but now it came up stronger than before, whistling 
furiously through the pines and bringing many a 
decayed branch down with a loud crash. 


72 THE WINNING RUN 

‘ 4 If we were out in this we ’d be wet to the skin, ’ ’ 
remarked Frank. “Even as it is, some water is 
coming in here.” 

“Let us start up the fire,” suggested Link. “It 
will make it more cheerful.” 

“Do you imagine there are any wild animals 
around here ? ’ ’ questioned Frank. 

“More than likely — I don’t think we killed all 
of them last winter, ’ ’ answered Harry with a grin. 
“Wouldn’t you like to meet a wildcat, or a big 
bear?” 

“Not much!” 

“What a pity somebody didn’t bring a gun 
along,” came from Fred. “We may need it for 
protection, or for bringing down some food. ’ ’ 

“I’ve got a fishing line and some hooks in my 
pocket, ’ ’ said Frank. 

‘ ‘ Good ! Then we can catch some fish if we can ’t 
do anything else.” 

It was not until sundown that the rain ceased. 
The wind blew as hard as ever and soon the sky 
became perfectly clear. 

“Our folks will certainly be worried over us, 


ISLAND ADVENTURES 73 
especially because of the storm, ’ ’ said Link. ‘ ‘ But 
I suppose it can’t be helped. If it was daylight we 
might build a raft and try to reach the mainshore 
that way . 9 9 

All were anxious to catch a few fish, and soon 
they were back to the shore. Some bait was found 
and Frank also had two very good artificial flies 
along. Four of the lads went fishing at once, in as 
many different places. 

“Hurrah! here’s the first catch!” cried Link, 
and brought up a perch weighing seven or eight 
ounces. “Not very big, but better than nothing.” 

Frank was after a lake trout and was making 
his casts near the foot of a big tree which over- 
hung the lake. Presently there was a flash and a 
tug and he knew he had his game. Then began a 
bit of real fishing, which came to an end as he 
brought his prize up on the bank and clutched it 
in both hands. 

“Good for you, Frank!” sang out Joe. “That 
is certainly worth while. A pound and a half if he 
is an ounce ! ’ ’ 

After that the fishing continued, gteadily, until 


74 THE WINNING RUN 

they had three trout, two bass and nine perch to 

their credit. 

1 L There ’s a good supper for all hands, ’ ’ declared 
Link. “Now the question is, who is going to do 
the cooking V’ 

“Harry is the boy to cook fish,” declared Fred. 

“Yes, when I have something to work with,” 
was Harry’s answer. “However, I’ll do the best 
I can with the utensils we found at the shelter.” 

It was dark by the time they returned to Two 
Tree Lodge. The fire was stirred up and several 
set to work to bring in firewood for the night, 
breaking it up with their feet and knees or cutting 
it with their jack-knives. 

“This shows how useful a hatchet is,” said 
Link. “When you’ve got it you don’t appreciate 
it, but when you haven’t got it you want it the 
worst way. ’ ’ 

“And that’s the way with lots of things,” added 
Frank. “ ‘Do without, if you want to know the 
real worth of a thing,’ is what my father often 
says.” 

It was not long before the fire was blazing in 


ISLAND ADVENTURES 75 

good shape, and while the others cleaned the fish 
Harry set to work to cook them to a turn. 

“This is the way to eat fish!” declared Joe, 
smacking his lips over a particularly sweet mor- 
sel. * ‘ The fish one buys in a market is nothing like 
this.” 

“I know some men who won’t eat fish unless 
they are just caught,” came from Link. “They 
say the right way to eat trout is to take ’em from 
the hook and drop ’em in the pan. ’ ’ 

“Well, I want mine deaned first,” said Frank, 
dryly. 

The boys took their time about eating, and along 
with sandwiches and some cake they had brought 
with them, the fish made them a substantial sup- 
per. 

“One of us ought to stay on guard to-night,” 
said Joe. “It won’t be safe for all to go to sleep. 
There is no telling what animal may be prowling 
around in the darkness.” 

“Let us take turns at watching,” answered 
Fred. “Each fellow can stay on guard just an 
hour. That will give us eight hours for sleep. ’ ’ 


76 


THE WINNING BUN 


“With one cut off for guard duty,” corrected 
Bart. “All right, that suits me.” 

It also suited the others, and soon all turned in 
but Frank, who was the first selected to remain on 
guard. 


CHAPTER Yin. 


PRACTICING ONCE MORE. 

Sunday morning found the entire party up 
bright and early. Nothing had come to disturb 
them during the night, for which all were thankful. 
A few of the fish had not been eaten the evening 
before, and these were prepared for breakfast. 

“ We must go down to the shore and watch for a 
boat,” said Paul, while they were finishing their 
repast. 1 i Don’t forget that I must let my uncle 
know how the sloop was stolen . 1 9 

‘ ‘ To be sure, and the quicker we get on the track 
of the thief the better,” returned Joe. 

Not long after this they walked down to the cove 
and from that point journeyed along the shore for 
the best part of a mile. 

“Hi! I see a boat!” cried Link. “A sailboat, 
and she is headed this way!” 

77 


78 


THE WINNING RUN 


“Can it be tbe Sprite 9” questioned Fred. 

“No, tbe craft is a yacht. I guess it is Mr. Feld- 
ing’s Gem 

i 1 Perhaps he is looking for us, ’ ’ said Paul. ‘ ‘ My 
uncle may have asked him to come up.” 

They watched the course of the little yacht with 
interest, and as it came closer set up a loud shout 
and waved their handkerchiefs. At last they were 
discovered and somebody on the yacht waved a 
handkerchief in return. 

“We are seen!” cried Fred. “I am thankful 
for it.” 

Soon the yacht came up to the shore, and then 
they saw that it had on board Mr. Felding, the 
owner; Mr. Shale, PauPs uncle, and Mr. West- 
more and Mr. Rush. 

“Are you all safe, boys?” was the first question 
put to them. 

“Ail safe !” they shouted back. 

4 ‘ Thank heaven for that ! ’ ’ murmured Mr. West- 
more, and a great load was lifted from his heart. 

“I suppose you didn't want to come back in that 
storm, ’ ' said Paul 's uncle. 


PRACTICING ONCE MORE 79 

“ft wasn’t that, Uncle Dick,” answered the 
youth. 4 4 Somebody has stolen the sloop. ’ 9 

“Stolen the sloop !” ejaculated all of the gentle- 
men on the yacht. 

“Yes. We tied her up and went to the hill, and 
somebody took her as soon as we had our backs 
turned . 9 9 

Paul told his story and the others corroborated 
him. The gentlemen were very much interested. 

“And you think it was Dan Marcy did this?” 
questioned Mr. Shale. 

“Yes — but we are not certain,” answered Joe. 

“It would be just like Marcy,” put in Mr. West- 
more. 4 4 Remember what he has done in the past . 9 9 

“Which way did he go?” asked Mr. Felding. 

The boys pointed out the direction, and all de- 
cided to follow in the course of the Sprite . 

“We can’t spend too much time in the search,” 
observed Mr. Westmore. 4 4 Remember, the folks 
at home are very anxious concerning all of the 
boys.” 

The Gem was a trim little craft, built for speed, 
as well as good looks, and with all sails set cut the 


80 THE WINNING RUN 

water in a fashion to tickle any nautical heart. 
More than this, Mr. Felding was a crack yachts- 
man and knew exactly how to get the best speed 
out of his craft. 

“ She certainly is a gem !” was Harry’s remark. 
“What a cruise a fellow could take in such a boat 
as this. ’ ’ 

“Yes, especially if the lake was larger,” an- 
swered Frank. 

A run of an hour brought them pretty well down 
the eastern shore of the lake. They passed several 
small sailing vessels, and also some rowboats, but 
caught sight of nothing that looked like the Sprite . 
They also questioned some of the people they met 
but could gain no information concerning the miss- 
ing sloop. 

1 ‘ They have got into some out-of-the-way place 
with her,” said Mr. Shale. “It’s an easy thing to 
do — with so many coves and creeks handy, and so 
much woodland and bushes. ’ ’ 

At last the search was given up for the time 
being and the yacht was headed for Lakeport. As 
soon as they came in sight of the town they saw 


PRACTICING ONCE MORE 81 

a crowd collecting at the main wharf to meet 
them. 

“Are they all safe?” was the first question, and 
when it was answered in the affirmative a cheer 
went up. 

“We thought you might be drowned,” said Mrs. 
Westmore, as she greeted her sons. 

“I have passed a sleepless night,” came from 
Mrs. Rush. “Fred, you must not stay away again 
like that. ’ 9 

“It couldn’t be helped, mother,” was the an- 
swer. 

The news soon circulated that the Sprite had 
been stolen, and Mr. Shale offered a reward of ten 
dollars to anybody who would locate the craft. 

“I won’t offer any more than that just now,” 
said he to Mr. Westmore. “As they can’t take the 
boat off the lake we are bound to find her sooner 
or later. ’ ’ 

Ten dollars was quite a sum to some men and 
boys living in the vicinity of Pine Lake, and many 
went out Sunday afternoon and all day Monday, 
looking for the Sprite . But, strange as it may ap- 


82 


THE WINNING RUN 


pear, not a trace of the sloop was discovered. Then 
Mr. Shale increased his reward to fifty dollars. 

6 ‘ Maybe they sunk her , 9 ’ suggested Joe. 4 4 They 
could do that, and then raise her after the search 
is over, and give her a different coat of paint and 
a new name. ’ 9 

‘ ‘ Well, I guess anybody who would steal her 
would be mean enough to do almost anything with 
her, ’ 9 answered Harry. 

The members of the baseball club were very 
anxious to get the best uniforms possible for their 
money, and so the secretary of the club was or- 
dered to send to half a dozen firms for samples and 
prices. The latter were speedily forthcoming, and 
one firm, more energetic than the rest, sent along 
four sample suits, so that they might be inspected. 

“That firm certainly has faith in its goods / 9 
said Joe. “If they didn’t they wouldn’t send us 
four complete suits.” 

“And their prices are a little lower than the 
other firms,” added Fred. “I guess we’ll have to 
get our outfit from them.” And the majority of 
the boys thought the same. 


PRACTICING ONCE MORE 83 

Some were anxious to don the new uniforms 
and they were loaned out to Harry, Paul, Link 
and Matt. All were cautioned to keep the 
suits clean and in good order and promised to 
do so. 

“Now I feel like a real baseball player,” de- 
clared Harry, after he had the suit on. 

“It certainly fits you to perfection/ ’ was his 
brother’s comment. “It couldn’t be better if it 
had been made to order.” 

“I wish we all had suits, Joe. Si Voup’s club 
has them.” 

“Well, we’ll have them before long. By the 
way, I suppose we’ll get a challenge from the 
Voup crowd sooner or later.” 

As soon as the excitement occasioned by the dis- 
appearance of the Sprite died down the boys turn- 
ed to their baseball practice once more. As before, 
they went at it each day after school and soon 
there was a marked improvement in every player. 
Each was almost settled in the position he was to 
occupy, although several changes were still to take 
place. 


84 THE WINNING RUN 

Ever since the hat episode Mr. Montgomery 
Jadell had been extra severe with the boys, often 
keeping them in after school when he knew they 
wanted to practice. The boys, however, said noth- 
ing, for the term was drawing to a close and they 
knew that in two weeks more their troubles in that 
direction would be over. 

“I wish we could give him a rousing send-off,” 
said Harry. “He deserves it.” He had heard 
that in the fall they were to have a new school 
principal. 

“Just wait till the term ends,” put in Fred, who 
was present. “I guess we can do something to 
make him remember Lakeport. ’ ’ 

The next afternoon was a particularly fine one, 
and when they went out to practice Harry, Paul, 
Link and Matt wore the suits. Some cheered but 
others poked fun at them. 

“Cutting a dash, ain’t you?” said one. “Oh, 
my, ain’t we ball players, though!” 

“You’re only sorry that you haven’t a suit,” 
retorted Link. 

( ‘I suppose we’ve got to get used to it,” said 


PRACTICING ONCE MORE 85 

Paul. 4 4 All the same, I wish the whole club had 
uniforms. ’ ’ 

The play that afternoon was of the bright, 
snappy kind. There was some good pitching and 
field work, and half a dozen creditable hits were 
made. 

“You are doing finely,’ ’ said a gentleman 
named Monroe Corsen, who was a graduate of one 
of our large colleges. “Keep it up and you will 
certainly win some games this summer.” 

“We are going to do our best,” answered Joe. 

Harry had been told to go to the store before 
returning home for supper and so, with one or 
two others, left the ball field before the rest. He 
carried with him one of the bats which none of the 
players cared particularly to use, as it was un- 
usually heavy. 

“We’ll have to trade this for a lighter bat,” he 
said, to one of his companions. 

“Yes, if we get the chance. Hardly anybody 
wants to use such a heavy bat. It was a mistake 
to get it in the first place,” was the answer. 

Harry hurried down one street and then around 


86 


THE WINNING RUN 


the corner into another, which was lined with a 
number of small shops. Just as he turned the 
corner he noticed a commotion a block away and 
heard a sudden cry. 

4 4 Look out for the bull ! Jerry Flagg’s bull has 
broken loose ! ’ 7 

4 4 Hullo, a wild bull!” he cried. 4 4 He’ll make 
trouble in this street, if he once gets agoing ! ’ ’ 

He looked along the street, but could not at first 
locate the beast. But then came a roaring bellow, 
and the bull emerged from an alleyway not a hun- 
dred feet away. He had a long rope tied around 
his neck. 

4 4 Oh, help! Please take the bull away!” 
shrieked a voice not far from where Harry was 
standing, and looking around he espied a little girl 
of six crouched close to a shop window. 

The little girl was dressed in a bright suit of red 
and this at once attracted the bull’s attention. 
With a snort he leaped into the street and then 
charged straight for the little girl, with lowered 
horns and with eyes glaring wickedly, as if to gore 
her to death on the spot. 


CHAPTER IX. 


A BOY AND A BULL. 

To Harry it looked as if the little girl might be 
killed at any instant, and for the moment his heart 
seemed to stop beating. He recognized the child 
as the daughter of Mr. Corsen, the gentleman he 
had just left at the ball field. She was a dear little 
creature and a great pet of all who knew her. 

6 ‘ Run ! run V ’ he called out. 1 1 Run, Violet ! ’ 7 

But little Violet was too scared to move and only 
remained crouching by the shop window, her eyes 
filled with terror. 

It was then that Harry’s natural bravery as- 
serted itself. Baseball bat in hand he leaped 
swiftly to the little girl’s assistance. 

“Oh, help me!” she screamed. “Take the 
naughty bull away!” 

To this Harry did not answer. Hauling off he 

87 


88 


THE WINNING RUN 


took quick aim, and down came the bat on the 
bull’s head with telling effect. Then, as the beast 
staggered and paused, he hit the savage creature 
another blow. 

‘ ‘ That ’s it ! Give it to him ! ’ ’ cried a man some 
yards away. But he himself kept at a safe dis- 
tance. 

The second blow from the baseball bat drove the 
bull back into the roadway and there he stood, 
swaying from side to side and glaring ferociously 
at Harry. By this time the beast’s owner, Jerry 
Flagg, a farmer, was rushing up, pitchfork in 
hand. Others were also gathering. 

“Go into the shop, Violet!” called out Harry. 
‘ 4 Don ’t wait — go at once. ’ ’ 

The little girl hesitated a few seconds longer, 
but then ran for the shop door. As she did this, 
the bull charged upon Harry. The boy saw it 
would be useless to attempt to stay that rush and 
so leaped to one side. On came the beast and 
struck the shop just beside the show window with 
such force that one of the panes of glass was 
broken. 



Down came the bat on the bull’s head. 












































































































































A BOY AND A BULL 


89 


6 6 Hi ! hi ! drat ye ! ’ ’ came from Jerry Flagg, and 
now he managed to get hold of the end of the rope 
which was dragging behind the bull. 4 4 Git back 
here, ye villain ! ’ ’ 

4 4 Look out, Jerry, or he’ll gore you!” called 
somebody in the crowd that was gathering. 

4 4 No, he won ’t gore me ! ’ ’ answered J erry Flagg. 
4 4 1 know him. He ’s got ter mind, or I ’ll kill him ! ’ ’ 
And rushing closer he gave the bull a vicious jab 
with the pitchfork. The beast whirled around and 
then started down the street at full speed, scat- 
tering the crowd in all directions. After the bull 
came J erry Flagg, trying to catch hold of the rope 
once more. Thus beast and man left the town be- 
hind, and the excitement in that quarter came to 
an end. It may be stated here that the farmer 
caught the bull two hours later and had him tied 
up in such a fashion that for the time being he 
could do no further damage. 

4 4 Harry, that was a fine thing to do,” said 
one of the men who had witnessed the boy’s ac- 
tions. 4 4 You did give him two hard ones with your 
bat.” 


90 


THE WINNING EUN 


“Well, I didn’t want to see little Violet Cor sen 
hurt,” he answered. “If the bull had gotten at 
her he might have killed her. He had his eyes on 
her bright red dress.” 

“Yes, I saw that myself. But you can be thank- 
ful the bull didn ’t knock you over. ’ 9 

“I am thankful. How thick a bull’s head must 
be ! Two such whacks as that would kill any ordi- 
nary beast.” 

“Oh, they are tough, and that old beast of 
Flagg’s is especially so. I reckon he’ll keep the 
bull out of town after this.” 

Harry went into the shop and found Violet still 
full of excitement and fear. 

“It’s all over now,” he said kindly. “You can 
go now if you want to.” 

“Oh, Harry, I’m afraid to go alone!” 

“Then I’ll take you home.” 

This pleased the little girl, and hand in hand 
they left the shop and started for the Corsen resi- 
dence, whidi was on the most fashionable side 
street of Lakeport. It was soon reached and 
Harry left Violet at the gate. Then he hurried 


A BOY AND A BULL 91 

back, to do his errand and get home in time for 
supper. 

4 ‘You are a little late,” said his mother, when 
he entered. 

“I couldn’t help it, mother. There was some 
excitement downtown. Jerry Flagg brought a 
bull into town and he broke loose, and smashed 
one of Mr. Jackson’s shop windows.” 

1 ‘ Did he come after you ? ’ ’ 

“Not exactly, but I hit him with my baseball 
bat. Then he ran away. ’ ’ 

“You must be careful, Harry. A bull is a dan- 
gerous animal when he gets wild. ’ ’ 

No more was said about the happening by 
Harry and the supper passed as usual. But hard- 
ly was it finished when the doorbell rang. 

“Who can that be?” murmured Mrs. Westmore 
and sent Laura to answer the summons. On the 
piazza stood Mr. Monroe Corsen and his wife, with 
Violet. 

“Is Harry at home?” asked the gentleman. 

“Yes, sir. Please walk in,” answered Laura. 

“Oh, Mrs. Westmore, I want to thank Harry for 


92 THE WINNING RUN 

what he did!” cried Mrs. Corsen, hysterically. 
“He was so brave! If it hadn’t been for him our 
Violet would have been gored to death!” 

“Harry, it was a fine thing to do,” said the gen- 
tleman, heartily. “I’ve been downtown and sev- 
eral told me of how you jumped in between Violet 
and the bull and struck the bull with your bat. I 
owe you a good deal for that, my lad.” And he 
gave the boy a warm squeeze of the hand. 

“It was grand!” cried Mrs. Corsen. “Harry, 
you are a hero !” And she gave him a hug. 

“He didn’t tell me of all this,” said Mrs. West- 
more. 4 4 Harry, why didn ’t you ? ’ ’ 

4 4 Oh, I don ’t know, ’ ’ he answered, blushing. 4 4 1 
— I only did what I thought I had to do. ’ ’ 

4 4 He was too modest, that’s why!” cried Mrs. 
Corsen. And then she and her husband gave the 
details of the affair as they had gathered them. 

4 4 Good for Harry ! ’ ’ ejaculated Joe. 4 4 1 ’m glad 
you had that heavy baseball bat with you. ’ ’ 

4 4 It was the red dress that brought on the trou- 
ble,” put in Mr. Westmore, secretly pleased at the 
bravery his son had shown. 4 4 Bulls hate red as a 


A BOY AND A BULL 


93 


person hates poison. I heard about his breaking 
loose, but I didn’t hear any more than that.” 

“ Harry, I feel that I owe you something sub- 
stantial for what you have done,” said Mr. Cor- 
sen. 4 4 Violet is very dear to my wife and me. ’ 9 

“No, you don’t owe me a thing!” was Harry’s 
quick answer, and he blushed again. 

“But I think I do,” persisted the gentleman. 
4 4 1 want to reward you. ’ ’ 

“I don’t want any reward.” 

Mr. Corsen looked nonplussed for a moment. 

“Harry will be satisfied with your thanks, Mr. 
Corsen, ’ ’ came from Mr. Westmore. 4 4 1 know how 
he feels. I should feel the same, and so should 
you. ’ ’ 

4 4 Well, perhaps.” Monroe Corsen hesitated. 

4 4 Let me see, I believe you are trying your best to 
make a success of your baseball club?” he went 
on, and looked at both Harry and Joe. 

4 4 Yes, sir,” answered Joe. 

4 4 Then perhaps you’ll allow me to do something 
for the club?” 

4 4 Oh, you can do what you please for the club, 


94 THE WINNING RUN 

Mr. Corsen, ’ ’ cried Harry. 4 4 That represents 
Lakeport, you know — that is, it will represent 
Lakeport unless Si Voup’s club plays better balL ,, 

4 4 Then I ’ll see what I can do for the club, ’ ’ an- 
swered Mr. Corsen; and a little later he and his 
wife left the Westmore home. 

4 4 Wonder what he will do?” said Joe, when he 
and his brother were retiring for the night. 

4 4 Oh, he ’ll give us something, ’ ’ answered Harry. 

4 4 Perhaps some extra bats and balls, or something 
for the clubroom.” 

4 4 He is a pretty rich man, Harry. ’ ’ 

44 I know it, but what I did wasn’t of such tre- 
mendous importance. Any of the fellows could 
have done it. ’ ’ 

On the following day, after school, Harry found 
a letter awaiting him. It was from Mr. Corsen, 
and ran as follows : 

4 4 To Harry Westmore and the Lakeport Baseball 
Club: 

4 4 As a token of my appreciation of what was 
done for my little daughter Violet, and also as an 


A BOY AND A BULL 95 

evidence of the interest I take in the recently or- 
ganized Lakeport Baseball Club, I hereby donate 
to the club the sum of one hundred dollars, to be 
known as the Violet Corsen Fund, and to be used 
as the officers and members of the Lakeport Base- 
ball Club deem best. With best wishes for your 
success, I remain, “Monroe T. Corsen.” 

“Hurrah! isn’t that fine?” cried Harry, as he 
read the letter to his brother. “And here is the 
cash — ten ten-dollar bills.” And he held the 
money up in his hand. 

“This is certainly generous,” returned Joe. 
“A hundred dollars, with what we already have, 
will buy us everything we need and leave a little 
in the treasury besides.” 

“I think you ought to call a special meeting of 
the club on this . 9 9 

“I will,” answered Joe, and ran off to execute 
the idea without delay. Soon the boys gathered 
at the clubroom, and then Harry read the letter 
out loud and passed the hundred dollars over to 
the treasurer. 


96 


THE WINNING RUN 


“Whoop! this is simply great !” cried Fred. 
“Harry, you’re a — a peach!” 

“Wish we could all hammer bulls with bats!” 
piped in Matt. “Say, wouldn’t we get rich, at one 
hundred per bull ? ’ ’ And this raised a short laugh. 

‘ ‘ Let us give Mr. Corsen a vote of thanks, ’ ’ sug- 
gested Link. “It’s the very least we can do. ’ ’ 

“A vote of thanks and a complimentary seat in 
the grand stand to all of our games,” added Bart. 

The latter suggestion met with instant approval, 
and a nicely worded letter was sent to the gentle- 
man without delay and in it was enclosed the 
necessary pass for the grandstand. 

“I am sure that ought to please him,” said Joe, 
after reading the letter over, and adding his sig- 
nature to the pass. And it did please the gentle- 
man very much, as they afterwards found out. 


CHAPTER X. 


THE FIRST CHALLENGE. 

It must not be supposed from what has been 
written in these pages that the Lakeport Baseball 
Club as now organized was the first club that local- 
ity had ever had. In the past the boys, big and 
little, had had various clubs, and had played 
numerous matches with lads of their own age. 
But all of those had been nothing but boys ’ games 
and the organizations had been largely so in name 
only. 

Now, however, matters were different. The new 
club had a duly elected set of officers, a regular 
clubroom, and, what was equally important, a 
treasury with some dollars in it. More than this, 
the club was to be uniformed and was to play 
match games under the rules of the regular ama- 
teur baseball associations. 

1 ‘No more such hit-or-miss playing as we used 
to have,” said Joe. 4 ‘Every fellow has got to toe 

97 


98 THE WINNING BUN 

the mark every time, or I’ll put him off the field 
and put somebody else in his place.” 

It had at last been decided what positions the 
various members of the club should play, and J oe 
was now drilling them in to team work and in a 
knowledge of signals. The line-up at the first 
game was to be as follows ; the figures represent- 
ing the batting order : 

LAKEPORT BASEBALL CLUB. 

7 — J oe Westmore, captain, and pitcher. 

3 — Fred Rush, catcher. 

6 — Harry Westmore, first baseman. 

8 — Link Darrow, second baseman. 

2 — Bart Mason, third baseman. 

4 — Matt Roscoe, shortstop. 

9 — Paul Shale, centerfield. 

1 — Walter Bannister, leftfield. 

5 — Frank Pemberton, rightfield. 

SUBSTITUTES I 

10 — Augustus De Vere. 

11 — Teddy Dugan. 

12 — Ike Suttervane. 


THE FIRST CHALLENGE 99 

“I want yon all to remember that this list is 
open to change,” said Joe. 4 ‘If I can’t pitch to 
suit I’m going to put somebody in my place, and 
what holds good of me must hold good of every- 
body else. Perhaps before the season. is over we’ll 
all be changed around. ’ ’ 

“I’m sure I’m satisfied,” said Walter. “I 
didn’t expect anything but a field position.” 

“So am I satisfied,” put in Frank. 

“I’m going after all the flies, ’ ’ said Paul. “ I ’ll 
run my best to get ’em. ’ ’ 

The only lad who was not satisfied was Augus- 
tus De Vere, who was a good deal of a dude and 
played very indifferent ball. 

“Now this isn’t fair, don’t you know,” he 
drawled. “Why didn’t you put me in as first 
baseman, or something like that ? ’ ’ 

“I did what I thought was best,” said Joe, 
briefly. “You’ll have first show, if any of us drop 
out or fail to appear on the field on time.” 

“It’s beastly, don’t you know,” grumbled De 
Vere. 

“Sure, an’ it’s yourself is ahead av me on the 


100 


THE WINNING RUN 


list,” piped in Teddy Dugan, cheerfully. The 
Irish lad was modest and had expected nothing 
better. 

“Ye-as, an’ ahead o’ me, my crickey!” came 
from Ike Suttervane, who was a genuine country 
boy and who had been made a member because of 
the fun of it. 4 ‘Here I be down to the very bottom 
o’ the list. Reckon it’s goin’ to be a hull month 
o’ Sundays before I git to the top. But I don’t 
care — I can’t pitch no more’n a keow. But 
I kin hit th’ ball all right,” he added, brighten- 
ing. 

The positions definitely settled, team work went 
on nearly every day with great regularity. In the 
meantime the uniforms and other needed things 
were sent for, and one afternoon a big box arrived 
by express and was taken to the clubroom. 

“Now we are the real thing!” cried Link, as the 
articles were taken from the box and passed 
around for inspection. “Here’s the catcher’s 
mask and another for the umpire, if he wants it, 
and here’s the catcher’s protector, and here are 
the gloves.” 


THE FIRST CHALLENGE 101 

“And here are the shoes and stockings,” put in 
another member. 

“And the score-book,” came from a third. 
“And the letters for our shirts.” 

“And one dozen regular league balls and six 
first-class bats with a canvas cover,” put in an- 
other. “Now we are ready to play ball and no 
mistake.” 

“Well, it’s time we were ready,” came from 
Bart. 4 4 Here is a challenge that just reached me, ’ ’ 
and the secretary drew it from his pocket. 

4 4 The first!” cried Harry. 4 4 Who is it 
from?” 

4 4 I’ll read it,” said Bart, and proceeded to do so. 

4 4 To the Lakeport Baseball Club : 

4 4 We, the members of the Excelsior Baseball 
Club, of Lakeport, do hereby challenge you to a 
game of ball, to be played on our grounds or on 
your own, as you may choose, on Saturday, June 
10, at 3 P. M. It is understood that the admission 
to the grand stand shall be placed at 10 cents to 
everybody and that the winning team shall take 


102 THE WINNING RUN 

three-quarters of the receipts and be declared the 
champions of Lakeport. 

4 ‘Silas Voup, Captain E. B. C. 

“Sidney Yates, Secretary E. B. C.” 

“P. S. — Kindly send reply inside of three 
days. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ They mean business, ’ ’ said Joe. “ June tenth 1 
That is just nine days off.” 

“Grand stand, 10 cents to everybody,” mused 
Bart. “That’s pretty cheap. Now I should 
charge ten and a quarter. ’ ’ 

“We’ll have to give the public their money’s 
worth on the first game,” answered Matt. “In 
one way, the opening game ought to be free. ’ ’ 

“I’d rather play on our grounds,” came from 
Walter. 

‘ ‘ So would I, ’ ’ put in Harry. ‘ ‘ But their stand 
is larger.” 

‘ ‘ What if they beat us ? ” 

At this question there issued a series of groans, 
followed by cheers. 


THE FIRST CHALLENGE 103 


4 4 They can ’t beat us ! ’ ’ 

“We mustn ’t let them do it ! ’ ’ 

“We are bound to be the champions !” 

‘ ‘ I think we ought to play them a series of three 
games/ ’ suggested Joe. “One game is hardly a 
fair test.” 

‘ ‘ That is exactly my idea, ’ ’ said Fred. * 1 Let us 
talk it over with Voup and his crowd.” 

“Of course if he wants to play only one game 
let it be so,” said Link. “I’m sure we can beat 
them. ’ 9 

A note was addressed to the members of the 
Excelsiors, asking for a conference, and the talk 
came off the next afternoon. The rivals had al- 
ready considered the matter of playing three 
games for the local championship, and were will- 
ing to come to such an agreement. It was decided 
that the first game should be played on the Ex- 
celsiors’ grounds, the second on the Lakeports’ 
grounds and the third, if a third game was neces- 
sary, should be decided by a toss-up. 

“We are going to wax you good and hard from 
the start,” said Si Youp, after the meeting was 


104 


THE WINNING BUN 
over. “ After the first inning you won’t be in it a 
little bit. ’ ’ 

1 4 Talk is cheap,” answered Fred, dryly. “It 
costs money to buy mules. Wait till the first game 
is over.” 

“I don’t see how you can expect to win,” put 
in Sidney Yates. “We have got the finest players 
in this vicinity on our club. ’ ’ 

“No professionals are to be allowed,” said Joe, 
quickly. 

“Oh, we haven’t any professionals,” answered 
Si Youp. But this was not strictly a fact, since 
two of the players on his team had played for 
money several times. 

It was soon noised about the town that a series 
of three games had been arranged between the 
rival clubs, and there was much discussion as to 
which club would win. Some grew enthusiastic 
one way and some another, and not a few wagers 
were laid. 

“ If we lose we ’ll never hear the end of it, ’ ’ said 
Harry to Joe one day, when on the way to school. 
“How Si Youp and his cronies will crow !” 


THE FIRST CHALLENGE 105 


6 i Don’t think of losing, Harry. We’ve simply 
got to win, that is all there is to it.” 

As already mentioned, the school term at Lake- 
port was drawing to a close. Many of the boys 
had to work on the farms of that locality, and 
school was to shut up on the Friday previous to 
the day fixed for the first ball game of the series. 

4 ‘We mustn’t forget to give Old Stovepipe a 
good send-off,” said Harry. 

“Don’t you worry about that,” said Fred. 
‘ 4 Matt Roscoe and I have one little plan fixed. ’ ’ 

“And I’ve got a plan, too,” came from Link. 
“Bart is going to help me carry it out.” 

“Here is something to set the ball a-rolling 
with,” came from Frank, and he disclosed a big 
cigar box which he had been carrying under his 
coat. 

“What have you there?” questioned Joe. 

“Don’t ask questions, but watch out. This is 
going into Old Stovepipe’s desk.” 

“Matt and I have something for his hat,” said 
Fred. 

“And we have something for his coat pockets,” 


106 THE WINNING RUN 

put in Link. “We’ll give him something to re- 
member the boys of Lakeport by.” 

“Well, he deserves something,” said Harry. 
“He has always been crabbed and cross from the 
first day he came here. I ’ll be mighty glad to have 
a new principal next term.” 

“Where is he going to from here?” asked an- 
other boy. 

“He says he is going down-east.” 

“Well, I hope he stays there,” came from Link. 
“Anyway, we don’t want him here again.” 

* ‘ I pity the new school he goes to, ’ ’ said Bart. 

It was the last day of school and the boys were 
talking matters over in a corner of the school- 
yard. The final session was to last only until 
noon, and soon the bell rang calling them in. 


CHAPTER XI. 


THE LAST DAY AT SCHOOL. 

“The school will come to order / ’ said Mr. Mont- 
gomery Jadell, as soon as the pupils were seated. 
“I wish it understood that, though this is the last 
day of the session, order must be strictly ob- 
served.” 

“He is laying down the law,” whispered Link to 
Harry. 

“Darrow, stop your talking,” said the principal, 
severely. 

“Yes, sir.” 

6 ‘ I have had enough trouble during this term — 
I want no more on this last day,” went on Mont- 
gomery Jadell. “Pemberton, you may wipe off 
the blackboards while the others join in singing, 
4 Good-bye, Old School, Good-bye.' ” 

Frank lost no time in going to the platform, and, 

107 


108 THE WINNING RUN 

watching his chance, he placed the big cigar box 
in the teacher’s desk. 

In the meantime some of the other boys got ex- 
cused and went into the entryway, where the prin- 
cipal kept his hat and coat. During the school 
hours Mr. Jadell always wore a long linen duster. 

The pupils sang several songs and then there 
was an exercise in spelling. 

“ Thanks to my teaching you are doing fairly 
well,” said the principal. “But you ought to do 
better. We will now have the declamations al- 
ready arranged for.” 

Some visitors were coming in and these were 
given the use of several chairs and benches. Then 
Montgomery Jadell went to his desk to get out a 
book containing the declamations mentioned. 

“Hullo, how did that cigar box get here!” he 
murmured to himself, and taking the box he 
opened it. “ Oh ! oh ! get off of me ! Oh ! ” 

He started back and dropped the box, for out 
of it leaped seven frisky little mice which Frank 
had caught in his father’s barn. One mouse 
scampered across the desk, another ran up the 


LAST DAY AT SCHOOL 109 

school teacher’s arm, and the rest scattered in all 
directions on the floor. 

“ A mouse !” shrieked one of the girls. 

“A whole lot of mice!” was the cry. 

‘ ‘ See them run ! Look out, or they’ll get in your 
clothes ! ’ ’ 

There was an immediate uproar, and a number 
of persons leaped on the chairs, benches and desks. 
In the meantime Montgomery Jadell caught the 
mouse on his arm and flung it away. It landed in 
the face of Mr. Ebenezer Boles, one of the school 
committeemen. 

“Hi! hi! don’t throw your mice at me!” roared 
the committeeman, wrathfully. 

“Excuse me — I didn’t ” began Mr. Jadell, 

but the rest of his answer was swallowed up in the 
general uproar. 

“Catch the mice!” called out Joe. “Don’t let 
them get into the girls ’ hair ! ’ ’ 

“Oh!” screamed one of the girls. “I don’t 
want any mouse in my hair.” And several ran 
from the schoolroom at top speed. 

Some of those present were kicking at the mice 


110 


THE WINNING RUN 

and trying to hit them with rulers and sticks. One 
boy aimed an ink-well at two in a corner, but his 
aim was wild and the ink merely splashed over 
one of the visitors’ faces. 

“Joe Smith, I’ll — I’ll wring your neck for 
that ! ’ ’ 

“I — I didn’t mean to do it, Mrs. Radley, indeed 
I didn’t!” howled the boy, as he felt himself 
caught up by the ear. 

“Order! order!” cried Montgomery Jadell. 

* ‘ Order ! I will have order ! ’ ’ 

“Better come to order yourself!” growled 
Ebenezer Boles. “Flinging around mice ain’t 
very orderly!” 

It was a good ten minutes before the mice 
were disposed of and the school could be quiet- 
ed down. Montgomery Jadell was boiling with 
wrath. 

“I want to know who placed those mice in my 
desk!” he said, gazing fixedly at the boys. 

Of course there was a dead silence. 

“Better ask the mice themselves,” murmured 
Ebenezer Boles. “The boys ain’t goin’ to tell.” 


LAST DAY AT SCHOOL 111 

And now that the excitement was over he smiled 
to himself over the joke. 

“Mr. Boles, do yon uphold this sort of thing ?” 
demanded the school principal. 

“What sort o’ thing ?” 

1 6 This placing mice in my desk. ’ * 

“Course I don’t, Mr. Jadell — but boys will be 
boys. Didn’t you have your little jokes when you 
was young?” 

“I never played a joke in my life, sir!” 

“Gosh! what a lot o’ fun you must have 
missed!” murmured the old committeeman. 

“You are laughing at me!” 

“Oh, no!” But the committeeman’s face was 
on a broad grin. 

1 1 This is my last day at this school. ’ ’ 

“Well, nobuddy ain’t said it wasn’t.” 

“I expected to close the school at noon. Per- 
haps it will be best to bring the session to a close 
at once.” 

“Ain’t you going to let the youngsters speak 
their pieces?” 

“I don’t want to speak!” called out one boy, 


112 THE WINNING RUN 

who was to recite a hated extract from Julius 

Caesar. 

“Neither do I want to recite,’ ’ came from a 
girl who had been ordered to speak that time- 
worn effusion, “The Wonderful One-Horse 
Shay.” 

“Perhaps you will be glad to get rid of me!” 
called out Montgomery Jadell, losing his temper 
completely. 

“Oh, dear, how did you guess it?” came from 
one boy who was hiding behind some others, and 
this brought out a hearty laugh. 

“I — I shall close the school here and now!” 
ejaculated Montgomery Jadell. “The school is 
dismissed ! ’ ’ 

“Is school out?” came from a dozen or more. 

“Yes, and you can all go home. I wouldn’t 
teach here again for a hundred dollars a day!” 
growled Montgomery Jadell. 

“And I shouldn’t want you to teach me, Mr. 
Jadell,” came from Harry, in as loud a voice as 
he could command. “I trust we get a kinder and 
a smarter man next season.” 


LAST DAY AT SCHOOL 113 

“You have brought these hard feelings on your- 
self/ ’ put in Joe. 

‘ 1 Ha ! I want no back talk ’ ’ 

1 ‘ But we are going to tell you what we think of 
you before you go,” came from Fred. "We think 
you are dictatorial and unfair, and that you do 
not know half as much as you pretend ” 

"He’s the sourest teacher I ever saw!” came 
from one of the girls. 

"And we are all glad he is going!” came from 
several others. 

Montgomery Jadell started to talk again, but the 
babble was so great he could not make himself 
heard. 

"They are all against you,” said Ebenezer 
Boles. "Better take your leave and have done 
with ’em. I reckon they are more’n half right in 
what they say. Call at my office to-morrow and get 
the pay that is still due you. ’ ’ 

"Of course you side with them. Well, I will 
call, for the money is justly mine — and then I shall 
wash my hands of Lakeport forever!” said Mont- 
gomery Jadell, tragically. 


114 


THE WINNING RUN 


Stepping to the entryway he tore off his linen 
duster and hauled on his long, black coat. Then 
he reached for his silk hat — the one Harry had 
had to purchase for him. 

As the hat was turned down over the principaFs 
head a stream of chimney soot descended over his 
face and neck, giving him the appearance of a 
darky. 

“Wha — what is th — this?” he spluttered. 
‘ ‘ Soot ! Who put that in my hat ? ’ ’ 

“Oh, my, look at the coon!” cried Matt. “Mr. 
Jadell, are you in training for a negro minstrels?” 

“I’ll negro minstrels you!” roared the irate 
schoolmaster, knocking out the hat and blowing 
the soot from his nose and eyes. “If I catch the 
boy who did this — oh, my ! Murder ! Oh, my fin- 
gers ! ’ * 

He had run his hand into his coat pocket to get 
his handkerchief. Now he withdrew the hand with 
a good-sized and very tenacious crab clinging to 
it. He tried to shake the crab off, but it only stuck 
the tighter. 

“Oh, my hand!” he roared, dancing around. 


LAST DAY AT SCHOOL 115 

“My fingers will be bitten off! Somebody take 
the crab away!” 

“Thank you, but I never cared for crabs,” said 
Joe, coolly. 

“I only touch crabs on the thirtieth day of Feb- 
ruary, ’ ’ added Link. 

‘ 4 Who ever saw a coon with such crab-like hands 
before?” came from Fred. 

‘ 4 He ’d be worth the price of admission in a dime 
museum,” called out a boy from the rear. 

“I’ll dime museum some of you if I ever get 
clear of this crab!” roared Montgomery Jadell. 

“Put your hand in a pail of water,” suggest- 
ed Ebenezer Boles. “He will be sure to let go 
then.” 

A pail of water stood in a corner and Montgom- 
ery Jadell ran towards it. 

“Here, I’ll help you!” cried Frank, who intend- 
ed to do nothing of the sort. He caught up the 
pail, pretended to stumble, and the water splashed 
all over the principal ’s knees and feet. 

“Now see what you have done!” spluttered 
Montgomery Jadell. 4 ‘ I— I— oh, my fingers ! ’ ’ 


116 


THE WINNING RUN 


“Run out to the brook,” said one of the ladies 
present. 1 1 The crab will be sure to swim off . ’ ’ 

Not far from the schoolhouse was a tiny brook 
which emptied into Pine Lake. Clutching his silk 
hat in one hand, the schoolmaster bolted out of the 
building and half the boys followed him. He 
swung his hand with the crab on it aloft. 

“Here’s a race for you!” cried out Harry. 
“I’ll wager the crab gets there first!” 

The brook gained, Montgomery Jadell bent 
down and placed his hand in the water. At first 
the crab would not let go, and he bent still lower. 
Then the crab swam away. But just as he did so 
the foot of the man slipped and over he went into 
the brook with a loud splash. 

“Hurrah ! he is taking a bath !” cried one of the 
boys. 

“Going to wash that soot off, I guess.” 

“Want a life preserver, Mr. Jadell?” 

“If you’ll come here I’ll help you out!” 

Drenched and dirty, Montgomery Jadell waded 
out of the brook. Then he turned and shook his 
fist at his tormentors. 


LAST BAY AT SCHOOL 117 

6 ‘You young vipers!” he cried. “You young 
vipers!” And then, with his dripping silk hat 
still in hand he ran rather than walked to his home 
across the fields. 


CHAPTER XII. 


FOB THE CHAMPIONSHIP. 

“I’ll venture to say that Mr. Montgomery 
Jadell will never forget his last day at Lakeport 
school,” said Joe, to his brother, after the excite- 
ment had died down and Ebenezer Boles had sent 
the pupils home. 

“He is mad clean through,” returned Harry. 
“Perhaps we haven’t heard the last of this. It 
was pretty rough horse-play.” 

“Oh, I don’t think he will dare to say much. He 
knows that he is not liked. The committee are 
glad to get rid of him.” 

Joe was right in his surmise. Montgomery 
Jadell fussed and fumed a little when calling on 
Ebenezer Boles for the final instalment of his sal- 
ary and the committeeman told the ex-principal 
118 


FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP 119 


just what he thought of him. The two parted with 
some hot words ; and two days later Montgomery 
Jadell left Lakeport never to return. 

The affair at school would have received more 
attention had it not been for the baseball match 
so close at hand. All of the boys of the town, and 
a good many men, too, were talking about it, and 
even some of the girls were interested. Laura made 
herself a neat three-cornered flag of blue, with the 
name Lakeport sewed on it in white, and some 
others followed her example. Hearing of this, the 
Excelsiors chose yellow for their color, and had 
some flags made with the name put on in black. 

‘ 4 If only it doesn ’t rain, ’ ’ said Fred, and got up 
at five o ’clock on Saturday morning to take a look 
at the sky. It was somewhat cloudy and he heaved 
a mountainous sigh. But by nine o’clock the 
clouds rolled away and the sun came out brightly 
for the rest of the day. 

Joe had called the club together for practice at 
ten o’clock and quite a few were present to watch 
the boys on the ball field. 

4 ‘ They do first rate,” said one who was watch- 


120 THE WINNING BUN 

in g. “But I don’t know as they are doing any 
better than Voup’s crowd.” 

“I don’t think they do as well,” answered some- 
body else. 

These remarks reached Link’s ears and troubled 
him not a little. As soon as the practice was over 
he told some of his chums of them. 

“You mustn’t pay attention to all you hear, 
Link,” said Fred. “Why, folks say all sorts of 
things when there are rivals in the field. Just 
look at it when we have a Presidential election. 
Some men will say all sorts of bad things about 
one candidate and others say bad things about the 
other candidate. After the election the defeated 
candidate is considered a pretty good fellow any- 
way. ’ ’ 

It is more than likely that some of the members 
of the club ate but little dinner on that all-impor- 
tant Saturday. By two o’clock all were at the 
clubroom, getting into their uniforms and listen- 
ing to Joe’s final words of advice. 

“Above all things, don’t get rattled,” Joe was 
saying. “If you allow yourselves to get rattled 


FOE THE CHAMPIONSHIP 121 


you ’ll surely go to pieces and lose. Try to keep 
cool no matter what happens. And if you see me 
getting rattled don’t hesitate to tell me so. If any 
two of you want another pitcher or catcher, I’ll 
make the change.” 

At last they were ready to leave the clubroom 
and marched off by twos, with Teddy Dugan 
carrying the bats and a colored youth named Sam 
Snuff the other paraphernalia and a pail for drink- 
ing water. 

“Dis am de time dat dis club wipes up de floah 
wid dem Excelsiors, ’ ’ said Sam Snuff . 4 4 Da won ’t 
be enuf left ob dem to hab a funeral wid.” 

When the boys arrived at the ball field of their 
rivals they found a large crowd collected. The 
grand stand was comfortably filled, and in a prom- 
inent place they saw Mr. Corsen and a number of 
other friends. Laura was also there, with eight 
other girls, all with their flags of blue. Opposite 
were some girls with their flags of yellow. Some 
boys had horns and others had rattles, and a 
mighty noise went up as the Lakeports appeared. 
Then another roar followed for the Excelsiors. 


122 


THE WINNING RUN 


i ‘I guess everybody in Lakeport is here,” said 
Frank, looking around. “Who ever saw such a 
crowd before?” 

“That shows what folks think of baseball,” an- 
swered Walter. “It’s the great national game, no 
doubt of that.” 

A man named Hayward had already been chosen 
to act as umpire. He was an old ballplayer, hav- 
ing played on the Eastern League for six years. 
He knew some of the boys fairly well, but said he 
was going to “play no favorites.” 

“What you get you’ve got to earn,” he said, and 
with this Joe said he would be perfectly satisfied. 
Si Voup had wanted a particular friend of his 
to be umpire, but this the Lakeports would not 
allow. 

“All of you fellows will get a square deal, don’t 
you worry,” said one man in the crowd. “If you 
don’t, we’ll mob the umpire.” 

By a toss-up it was decided that the Lakeports 
should go to the bat first. Each side was allowed 
fifteen minutes for practice. Both clubs did their 
best and various were the comments made. 


FOB THE CHAMPIONSHIP 123 


“Pretty well matched,” said one gentleman to 
Mr. Corsen. “What do yon think V 9 

“I think the team work of the Lakeports is a 
little the better of the two, ’ ’ was the reply. 

“And I was thinking just the opposite.” 

Just then an easy fly was knocked to Paul Shale, 
but for some unknown reason he missed it. A 
groan went up. 

‘ 1 Take that wooden man out of centerfield ! ’ ’ 

Missing the fly made Paul wake up and he made 
a resolve that he would miss no flies when the 
game began. 

At last the time for practice came to an end and 
the umpire sent the Excelsiors into the field. 

“Batter up!” he called out, and Walter Ban- 
nister, who was looked upon as the heaviest hitter 
on the Lakeports, came to the plate. As he took 
his position his friends gave him a warm welcome. 

“Make it a homer, Walter!” 

‘ ‘ Sock it for keeps, old man ! 9 9 

1 ‘ Play ! 9 9 called out the umpire. 

Si Youp was the pitcher for his club, and it may 
be added here that he could really handle the ball 


124 THE WINNING RUN 

with considerable skill. Eyeing the home plate for 
an instant, he let drive with all of his speed. 

“Ball one!” called ont the umpire. “Too 
high.” 

“Make him give you what you want, Walter!” 
cried a friend. 

Again the ball was delivered and around came 
Walter’s bat to meet it. 

“Strike one!” 

“That’s the way to do it, Si! Strike him out!” 
cried a friend of the Excelsiors ’ pitcher. 

Once more the ball was delivered. It was just 
right for Walter and he gave it a rap that sent it 
high up over the pitcher’s head. But the Excel- 
sior’s second baseman was on the alert and caught 
the ball as it came down close to him. 

4 ‘ The first victim ! ’ ’ shouted a boy. * ‘ That ’s the 
way to do it ! Treat the others the same way ! ’ ’ 

“Don’t crow so early in the game,” answered a 
Lakeport sympathizer, in disgust. 

Bart was the second player to the bat. He had 
a strike and two balls called on him and then sent 
a short liner to third. It was quickly gobbled up 


FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP 125 

and sent to first while he was still ten feet from 
the bag. 

“ Victim number two!” called out somebody. 
“What did I tell you?” 

Bart was followed by Fred who, after knocking 
two fouls, managed to get to first on a fumble by 
the second baseman. But before Fred could get to 
second the next man at the bat, Matt Roscoe, went 
out on a short hit direct into the pitcher’s hands. 

A mighty cheer went up for the Excelsiors. The 
first half of the initial inning was over and they 
had not allowed their opponents to score. 

“It’s a walkover,” said Sidney Yates to Si 
Voup, when they walked over to the players’ 
bench. “We ’ve got them beat sure. ’ ’ 

“Sure we have,” said Youp, in his bragging 
way. “The championship is ours.” 

“Joe, we must do as well as they did,” said 
Fred, as he buckled on his chest protector and ad- 
justed his mask. 

“ W r e ’ll do what we can, ’ ’ answered J oe. 

It must be confessed that he was just a bit ner- 
vous as he walked down to the pitcher’s box. He 


126 THE WINNING KUN 

knew that the eyes of all assembled were upon 
him. 

The first batter np for the Excelsiors was a fel- 
low named Harrison, who had the reputation of 
being a strong hitter. He was in addition a good 
deal of a bully and he glared ominously at J oe as 
he took his position beside the home plate. 

The glance from Harrison put Joe on his mettle 
and looking around first to see that all of his 
players were in position, he sent in his swiftest 
ball. 

6 ‘ Strike one!” called out the umpire, although 
Harrison had not attempted to use his bat. 

‘ ‘ It was too high ! 9 9 growled the batter. 

‘ ‘ No, it wasn ’t ! ’ * answered the umpire. 4 ‘ Shut 
up!” 

Again the ball came in and Harrison struck at 
it and missed it. It was pretty high, but Fred 
managed to grab and hold it. 

i 6 Strike two ! 9 9 

“ Strike him out, Joel” called a boy in the 
crowd. 

“Keep cool, Harrison!” came from Voup. 


FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP 127 

Once more the ball was delivered and this time 
the first batter for the Excelsiors managed to con- 
nect with it and drive it down to rightfield. 

“Hurrah !” came in a wild yell. “Good for 
Harrison ! Make it a two-bagger, old man ! ’ ’ 

It was certainly a base hit and Harrison got to 
first base with ease. Then he tried to steal to sec- 
ond. But the ball came in with a rush and he was 
put out several feet from the base, while trying 
to get back to first. 

“Never mind, he hit it all right enough,’ ’ said 
Yates. 

“Why didn’t you stay at first?” growled Voup, 
when Harrison came in and sank on the bench in 
disgust. 

“Oh, I thought I had time. Besides, my foot 
slipped,” was the surly answer. 

The second batter had a strike called on him and 
then managed to get to first on a short hit to left 
field. The batter to follow went out on a foul tip 
which Fred captured in a style that earned him 
quite some applause. 

Joe was watching the runner on first, but de- 


128 THE WINNING RUN 

spite liis best efforts to catch him the runner man- 
aged to get down to second and then up to third. 

“Play the runner !” he said to those covering 
the infield. Then he delivered one of his swiftest 
balls. But by good luck the batter sent it down to 
left of center and managed to get to first. In the 
meantime the runner at third slid in to the home 
plate. 

The Excelsiors had scored the first run. 


CHAPTER XIII. 

Paul’s great catch. 

There was a tremendous cheering from those 
who favored Si Voup’s club, while the Lakeport 
sympathizers were correspondingly silent. 

4 4 The Excelsiors get the first run ! ’ 9 

4 4 They are going to win this game sure!” 

The Lakeport players were much crestfallen, 
but did their best not to show it. 

While the cheering was going on and Joe was 
preparing to pitch once more the runner at first 
tried to steal to second. Like lightning Joe deliv- 
ered the sphere into the hands of Link and the 
runner was put out. This brought the first inning 
to a close. A score board had been erected, and 
up went the score, in chalk : 

Excelsiors 1 
Lakeports 0 

1 4 That’s hard luck, no use of talking,” said 

129 


130 


THE WINNING RUN 


Bart, as he came in. “Boys, we must do some- 
thing this inning. ’ ’ 

“ If we can, ’ ’ added Paul. 

“No use of getting discouraged, ’ ’ came cheer- 
fully from Harry. ‘ 4 This game is young yet. ’ ’ 

Frank Pemberton was the first player to bat in 
the second inning. 

“Here comes Cheeky,” cried one of his friends. 
“He’ll show ’em a trick or two.” 

“Another victim!” roared an Excelsior enthu- 
siast. 

The run gained made Si Voup feel good and he 
walked to the box feeling very important. Then 
he sent in an outer curve. 

“Ball one !” called the umpire. 

Again the ball came in and Frank did not try to 
hit it. 

“Ball two!” 

“What’s the matter with that?” growled Si. 

‘ 4 Too far out, ’ ’ said the umpire. 

Once more the sphere was delivered. It was in 
the right place and Frank rapped it good and hard 
and sent it sailing far out into left field. 


PAUL’S GREAT CATCH 131 

4 4 Good ! 9 9 came the shout. 4 4 Run, Cheeky, run ! 9 9 

And Frank did run for all he was worth. First 
was gained, then second, and he slid to third in 
safety. 

4 4 A three-base hit ! 9 9 

44 Now where are you, Excelsiors V 9 

4 4 You’ve got ’em started, boys; keep it up.” 

Harry was the next player to bat and as he came 
up Laura waved her flag at her brother. 

Harry tried to ‘keep cool, but his heart was 
thumping madly. He let the first ball pass him. 

4 4 One strike ! ’ ’ 

Again the ball came in. It was not exactly what 
he wanted, but he landed on it almost desperately 
and sent it along the ground between first and sec- 
ond base. The first baseman ran for it, while 
Voup started to cover the bag. But before any- 
thing could Fe done Harry was safe and Frank 
had come in home. 

44 A run for Lakeport!” 

4 4 Why didn’t you put the ball home?” cried the 
Excelsior catcher, angrily, for the sphere had been 
sent to Voup instead of to him. 


132 


THE WINNING RUN 


“I couldn’t get the man from third,” growled 
the first baseman, yet he knew in his heart that he 
had made a wrong play. 

Joe followed his brother, but as luck would have 
it was caught out on a pop fly to shortstop. Then 
Voup put in his swiftest ball, the catcher threw 
it to second, and Harry was caught just as he was 
trying to steal that bag. Link was at the bat and 
he went out an instant later on three strikes ; and 
this finished the first half of the second inning. 

“Never mind, we have evened up the score,” 
said Joe. “Frank, that was a dandy hit and no 
mistake. ’ ’ 

When they came to the bat the Excelsiors did 
their best to get in two runs, but there was a triple 
play between the first and second basemen and the 
shortstop of the Lakeports, and the runners failed 
to score. Then a short fly to third finished the in- 
ning. Once again the score went up on the board : 

Excelsiors 1 0 
Lakeports 0 1 

“Anyway, that looks a little better,” said Fred. 


PAUL’S GREAT CATCH 133 

“It looks like a nip-and-tuck game,” said Mr. 
Corsen to his gentleman friend. 4 4 Still, I.bank on 
the Lakeports.” 

4 4 And I am just as confident that the Excelsiors 
will win.” 

So far Paul Shale had not been to the bat, but 
now it was his turn to face Si Voup and he did it 
as calmly as possible. He had two strikes called 
on him and two balls and then knocked a little fly 
to first base. 

4 4 Come home!” cried somebody. 4 4 You don’t 
know how to bat ! ’ ’ And Paul walked to the bench 
feeling very sore. 

But the bad luck did not continue, and before 
the inning came to an end the Lakeports scored 
two runs. Then the Excelsiors made four runs. 
The score now read, Excelsiors 5, Lakeports 3, and 
our young friends felt rather glum. 

4 4 Brace up, fellows,” said Joe. And then he 
added: 4 4 Ho you want another pitcher or catch- 
er?” 

4 4 No!” was the immediate answer. 4 4 You are 


all right.” 


134 


THE WINNING RUN 


During the next few innings there was a general 
see-sawing and half a dozen mildly exciting plays. 
There was also a dispute over a close decision on 
second base, but the umpire stood firm and the ma- 
jority of the spectators sided with him. The score 
at the end of the seventh inning read, Excelsiors 
8, Lakeports 5. 

“This is a victory for the Excelsiors,’ ’ said 
more than one. “The Lakeports can’t catch up to 
them now. It’s too late.” 

But in the eighth inning matters took a brighter 
turn for the Lakeports. Harry was first to the bat 
and knocked a clean base hit. The fielders fum- 
bled the ball and he managed to get down to sec- 
ond. As before Joe 'followed him, and rapped a 
red-hot liner to shortstop. The Excelsior player 
could not hold the sphere, and while Joe reached 
first Harry went up to third. Then, while Link 
was at the bat, the catcher let the ball pass him 
and Harry came in, while Joe advanced to third 
base. The Excelsiors were now badly rattled and 
when the catcher threw the ball to Si Voup he 
missed it, and in the mixup J oe slid home. 


PAUL’S GREAT CATCH 135 

“Hurrah for Lakeport! That’s the way to do 
it!” 

“Voup, put some glue on your hands! You’ll 
be able to hold the ball better !” 

Si Voup was so cut up that he began to pitch 
wildly and soon Link went to first base on balls. 
Then Paul came up and knocked a two-bagger, and 
Walter followed with a clean hit to center that 
brought him to second and helped to score two 
more runs. The Lakeport supporters were now 
cheering wildly and throwing up their hats. 

“We’ve got ’em on the run!” cried Bart, ex- 
citedly. And when he came up he banged out an- 
other two-base hit, and a runner came in, adding 
another run to the score. But that was the end of 
the good luck, and they retired at the end of the 
first half of the eighth inning with the score stand- 
ing, Excelsiors 8, Lakeports 10. 

When the Excelsiors came up again it was with 
a “do or die” expression on their faces. One of 
their best batsmen was up and he managed to 
make a fine two-base hit which won great applause. 
Then came an out, followed by another hit, and 


136 THE WINNING RUN 

then a player got to first on balls. When the 
inning came to a close the score was a tie, 10 to 
10. 

The excitement all over the ball field was now 
intense. That the two clubs were closely matched 
there could no longer be any doubt. Many, how- 
ever, considered that Joe was a slightly better 
pitcher than Si Voup. 

Harry was now again to the bat and sent the ball 
down to right field, thereby gaining first. Joe fol- 
lowed with a fly to left field, but the fielder 
dropped the ball, and Joe got to first while his 
brother gained second. Then Link distinguished 
himself by a long drive to center which took him 
to second and brought in two runs. Again a wild 
cheering rent the air. Fearing they were going to 
lose, some of the players of the Excelsiors began 
to find fault with the runners. 

‘ 4 They cut third base,” said Si Voup. “I saw 
them do it . 9 9 But the runners had done nothing of 
the sort, and some spectators began to hiss at the 
pitcher. Then the umpire told them to play ball, 
and in a bad humor the Excelsiors did so. When 


PAUL’S GREAT CATCH 137 
at last the first half of the ninth inning came to 
a close the score stood Excelsiors 10, Lakeports 
13. 

“I hope that proves a lucky thirteen,” said 
Harry, as his club walked out into the field well 
satisfied with their score. 

“If we could only shut them out this last in- 
ning!” came from Link. 

If the Excelsiors had been anxious to score be- 
fore, they were doubly anxious now, and Voup 
cautioned the first man up to do his very best. As 
a result the fellow made a safe hit and reached 
first. 

“That’s the way to start ’em up!” cried Sidney 
Yates, who was on the coaching line. 1 1 Show ’em 
how we have been fooling ’em, boys ! ’ ’ And then 
he continued to make all sorts of remarks, in an 
endeavor to rattle Joe. 

The next player went out on a sacrifice hit, 
which he made contrary to Voup’s orders. This 
took the man on first to second. The next batter 
hit the ball to left field, but only managed to reach 
first, while the other runner came home. 


138 


THE WINNING EUN 


‘ ‘ Eleven to thirteen ! ’ ’ was the cry. ‘ ‘ N ow, Ex- 
celsiors, make those other two runs, and one 
over ! ’ ’ 

Joe’s heart was thumping wildly, but he did his 
best to steady himself. He pitched with all the 
speed left in his arm, and as a result the next man 
was struck out in quick order. At this the Excel- 
siors looked glum once more. 

“One more out and the game will be over.” 

“It doesn’t look as if the Excelsiors would make 
those runs now, does it?” 

So the talk ran on, while the next player came 
up, and the man on first reached second. Then 
came a short hit. Link got the ball and threw it 
to third and the man on second stayed where he 
was. 

“Go in for a home run ! ’ ’ shouted somebody in 
the crowd. A run of that sort meant three runs, 
for both first and second bases were now occupied 
by runners. 

In the midst of the fever-heat of excitement one 
of the Excelsiors ’ best batsmen came to the plate. 
He had made a two and a three-base hit and every- 


PAUL’S GREAT CATCH 139 

body felt that he could score a home run if given 
half a chance. 

“I must be careful,” thought Joe. He realized 
that his arm was not as limber as it had been. He 
had wanted to put Link in as pitcher the inning 
before, but the others would not have it. 

Making certain that the runners were not 
“playing off” too far, he delivered the ball with 
care. 

“One strike!” sang out the umpire, although 
the batsman had not moved his bat. 

Again the ball was sent in. This time the bat 
came around, but the sphere was not touched. 

“Two strikes !” 

A murmur arose among the Excelsiors. 

“Hit it, Wheeling; you’ve got to hit it !” 

‘ ‘ Knock the cover off the ball ! ’ ’ 

Again the ball came in just where Wheeling 
wished it. He reached out, and crack ! the sphere 
went sailing high over second base and far out into 
centerfield. 

“A home run!” came the cry. “A home run! 
The Excelsiors win this game.” 


140 


THE WINNING RUN 


“Run, fellows, run! There is nothing to stop 
you. ’ 9 

And the Excelsior players began to dance 
around like wild Indians. The two on the bases 
began to tear around the diamond like mad, with 
the lad who had hit the ball following. 

Paul Shale saw the ball coming. He knew it 
would pass high over his head and down into deep 
center he went like the wind after it. He heard 
the crowd yell, but paid no attention to the rest of 
the players. 

“I must get it! I must get it!” he said to him- 
self, and the words fairly burnt themselves into 
his brain. He made leap after leap. The ball was 
coming down — it was still out of reach. He stum- 
bled, but kept on — and then, just as the ball came 
within eight feet of the earth, he sprang up and 
clutched it in the fingers of one hand. Hardly had 
he done this than his feet struck a rock and he 
went down heavily. Then he rolled over on his 
back, but held the ball aloft. 

“He has got it !” 

“He caught that fly after all!” 


PAUL’S GREAT CATCH 141 

“What, a magnificent play! I never saw any- 
thing to match it ! ’ ’ 

“Those runs don’t count.” 


“Lakeport wins the game !” 


CHAPTER XIV. 

AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER. 

It was true Lakeport had won by a score of i3 
to 11. Si Voup tried to enter a protest, saying 
that Paul had let the ball drop and had then picked 
it up, but nobody would listen to him. 

“It was a perfectly fair play,” said the umpire. 
“I will leave it to the crowd. He fell down, but 
the ball never got within a foot of the ground.” 

The cheering was tremendous, and some of the 
boys wanted to carry Paul around on their shoul- 
ders, but he would not permit this. 

“To catch that fly wasn’t so much,” said he 
modestly. 

‘ ‘ It was the greatest thing that ever happened, ’ 9 
answered J oe, enthusiastically. “We should have 

lost the game if it hadn’t been for you.” 

142 


AN ENCOUNTER 


143 


‘ 1 Great Caesar, how Paul did leg it down into the 
field!” came from Frank. “I never saw anybody 
run so ! ” 

4 ‘Well, I put him there for his running quali- 
ties,” said Joe. “He’s the best runner on our 
team,” and the others agreed with their captain. 

As soon as they saw that they were beaten the 
Excelsiors lost no time in leaving the ball field. 
Only the boy who had charge of the grand stand 
remained, and he turned over to the Lakeports the 
amount of the receipts coming to them, eighteen 
dollars and forty cents. 

“I don’t care a rap for the money,” said Harry, 
on the way back to the clubroom. ‘ ‘ But I can tell 
you it was a big thing to defeat Voup’s crowd.” 

To celebrate the victory the club members spent 
two dollars for cake, fruit, and lemons and sugar 
for lemonade. This gave them quite a spread, 
which all enjoyed to the utmost. 

“Dat was a bang up game, dat was!” declared 
Teddy Dugan. He was so hoarse from “rooting” 
that he could scarcely speak. 

“We should have lost if it hadn’t been for that 


144 


THE WINNING RUN 


catch by Paul,” said Augustus De Vere. 
was angry because he had not been called upon to 
play. 

The game became the talk of the town, and the 
Excelsiors were asked all sorts of questions by 
those who had been foolish enough to bet and who 
had lost. Let it be said here that none of the Lake- 
port Club had bet. 

“Oh, my arm wasn’t in just the right condi- 
tion, ’ ’ grumbled Si Voup. “Just wait till the next 
game ; then we ’ll show ’em a trick or two. ’ ’ 

“I got something in my eye during the second 
inning and that bothered me,” said Sidney Yates. 

“One of those fellows spiked me with his shoe,” 
said the Excelsior shortstop. “After that I could 
scarcely walk. ’ ’ He had missed two ‘ ‘ liners ’ ’ and 
felt that he must excuse himself somehow. 

Fred was so elated over the game that he could 
scarcely contain himself. 

“It’s just too good for anything,” he said to his 
mother. ‘ ‘ I wish you had been there. ’ ’ 

“Isn’t this the first of three games, Fred!” 

“Yes, mother.” 


AN ENCOUNTER 145 

‘ ‘ Then you must win one more to be the cham- 
pions of the town.” 

“We are sure to do that.” 

“Don’t be so positive, Fred. If you lose you 
will be heart-broken. ’ ’ 

On Monday Fred had to go to the saw-mill for 
his parents, and while there he fell in with Sidney 
Yates, whose father was the superintendent at the 
mill. 

“It was a great game, wasn’t it, Sidney?” said 
the stout youth, pleasantly. 

“Oh, you needn’t blow to me about your ball 
playing ! ’ ’ grumbled Sidney. 

“I’m not blowing. I think you fellows put up a 
pretty good game.” 

“We should have won if it hadn’t been for the 
umpire, ’ ’ returned the other boy, sourly. 

“I think the umpire was very fair.” 

“His decisions were rank. We will never have 
him for an umpire again.” 

“Perhaps we shall.” 

“Not much! Paul Shale dropped that ball and 


I saw it. ’ ’ 


146 


THE WINNING RUN 


“Never !” 

“I say he did drop it !” roared Sidney, who was 
in thoroughly bad humor. “You fellows are a lot 
of low upstarts,’ ’ he added. 

“Do you mean to call me an upstart?” cried 
Fred, his anger rising at the insult. 

“Yes, I do.” 

“Take that back, Sidney Yates! If you 
don’t ” Fred paused and clenched his fists. 

“What will you do?” demanded Sidney impu- 
dently. He was several inches taller than Fred. 

“I’ll make you take it back.” 

‘ ‘ Ho ! ho ! what talk ! ’ ’ roared Sidney. “I’d like 
to see you make me take it back, you fat crab, 
you ! ’ ’ 

Now, although Fred was stout, he hated to be 
called fat, and without further ado he pitched into 
Sidney and struck him on the shoulder. The other 
lad retaliated, and in a moment more the quarrel 
became exceedingly warm. Fred was struck on 
the arm and in the cheek, and he hit Sidney in the 
left eye and on the nose. 

“Oh!” yelled Sidney, as the blood spurted from 


AN ENCOUNTER 147 

his nasal organ. “Don’t you dare to hit me in the 
nose again!” 

“Do you take back what you said about me?” 
demanded Fred, watching for a chance to strike 
once more. 

“No, I don’t!” 

“Then take that!” said the stout youth, and 
aimed a blow at his opponent’s chin. Sidney duck- 
ed and Fred’s fist landed on the nose again, hurt- 
ing worse than ever. Then Sidney began to back 
away. 

“I’m not going to let you get away so easily,” 
cried Fred and followed the other boy up. Sidney 
backed up against a log and pitched flat on his 
back and Fred lost no time in pinning him to the 
earth. 

“Now, will you take it back, Sidney Yates?” 

1 1 Let — let me up ! ” 

“Not until you take back what you said.” 

“The ground is all wet and muddy here.” 

“That isn’t my fault.” 

“My suit will be ruined. It’s a new suit, too!” 

6 ‘ That ’s your lookout, not mine. ’ ’ 


148 


THE WINNING EUN 


4 4 I ’ll call my father ! ’ ’ 

4 4 If you do, I’ll tell him what you said of me.” 

4 4 Help! help!” roared Sidney, and then he be- 
gan to squirm harder than ever. In the midst of 
the tussle three men ran from the mill. 

4 4 Here, what does this mean?” demanded one of 
the men, as Fred continued to hammer Sidney. 

4 4 He called me a low upstart,” answered the 
stout youth. 

4 4 Make him leave me up, father!” whined Sid- 
ney. 

4 4 Bless me, if it isn’t Sidney!” ejaculated Mr. 
Yates. 4 4 Let him alone!” The latter words to 
Fred, who quickly arose. 4 4 What’s this? Sidney, 
your new suit is all plastered with mud ! ’ ’ 

4 4 He fell down himself,” answered Fred. 

4 4 Who started this fight?” asked another of the 
men. 

4 4 He did,” answered Sidney, promptly. 

4 4 He called me a low upstart. I’ll allow nobody 
to call me that, ’ ’ came from Fred, whose eyes were 
still flashing. 

44 Sidney ; did you call Fred that?” demanded 


AN ENCOUNTER 149 

Mr. Yates. He was a fair-minded man and knew 
something of his son’s disposition. 

“No.” 

“And I say he did,” retorted Fred. “He said 
the members of our baseball club were a lot of low 
upstarts. He is mad because we beat his club last 
Saturday.” 

Just then a man who had been standing back of 
a nearby lumber pile came forward. 

“That lad speaks the truth,” he said, pointing 
to Fred. ‘ ‘ That boy taunted him with being a low 
upstart. I heard every word of the quarrel. ’ ’ 

At this exposure Sidney gazed at his father for 
a moment and then hung his head. 

“I’m ashamed of you, my son,” said Mr. Yates. 
“You had no business to use such language.” 

“Well, they tricked us out of that game,” 
whined Sidney. 

“No, they didn’t. The game was honestly won. 
You go right home and change your clothes, and 
to-night I’ll talk this over with you.” 

“Ain’t you going to punish Fred?” 

“No, because you started the quarrel,” answer- 


150 


THE WINNING RUN 


ed Mr. Yates, and then Sidney sneaked off like a 
whipped puppy. But once behind the lumber piles, 
he shook his fist savagely at Fred. 

* 4 Just you wait, Fred Rush, I’ll fix you for 
this ! ” he cried to himself. 

As soon as the excitement was over Fred trans- 
acted his business at the mill and then walked to- 
wards home. On the way he met Link and Harry. 
He told them of the encounter with Sidney. 

“I’m glad you tackled him, ’ ’ said Link. “ If he 
ever talks that way to me I’ll do something he 
won’t like.” 

“Sidney is a blower,” said Harry. “I guess 
most of the boys know him by this time. I don’t 
see how Si Voup can put up with him.” 

“Because he is willing to do anything for Si,” 
came from Link. “They are hand-in-glove and 
always have been.” 

That evening, when Mr. Yates came home, he 
read Sidney a stern lecture. The boy tried to 
answer back, and as a result Mr. Yates told him 
he must come to the mill and go to work during the 
vacation. 


AN ENCOUNTER 


151 


t4 I am not going to have yon idling your time 
away and getting into trouble/’ said Mr. Yates. 

4 4 But the ball club ” began Sidney. 4 4 1 want 

some time to practice ” 

4 4 You must resign your position. They can get 
somebody in your place,” was the firm answer, 
and this decision, although it almost broke Sid- 
ney’s heart, was final. 


CHAPTER XV. 


SWIMMING IN THE LAKE. 

Of course the boys, although they were much in- 
terested in their club, did not feel like playing ball 
all the time, and one bright day Joe, Fred and 
Bart went out on the lake to put in a day at fishing. 
They took a generous lunch with them, and left 
word that they might not be back until dark. 

“They say fishing is very good over towards 
Bartlett Point,” said Fred. “Suppose we try our 
luck there?” 

“One place will suit me as well as another,” 
came from Joe. 

“What we want is a big mess of fish,” put in 
Bart. “Frank and Walter were out yesterday, 
and they each got a dandy string. One had twelve 
and the other fifteen, and all pretty good size, 
too.” 

Bartlett Point was about a mile and a half away, 

152 


SWIMMING IN THE LAKE 153 


but all of the boys were good rowers and thought 
nothing of covering that distance. They had two 
pairs of oars and took turns at handling the 
blades. 

“It is queer we haven’t heard anything of the 
Sprite,” remarked Joe, while on the way. “You 
wouldn’t think the sloop could be so completely 
swallowed up.” 

“Not unless she is at the bottom of the lake,” 
answered Bart. “You must remember that this 
pond is rather deep in some spots.” 

As soon as Bartlett Point was gained they found 
a convenient spot where to fish and went at the 
pleasure without delay. 

But, though they had hoped to make some hauls 
at once, ten minutes passed and they did not get so 
much as a nibble. 

“Somebody in this crowd is a Jonah!” grum- 
bled Joe. 

“We must all be it,” grinned Fred, “since no- 
body has a bite.” 

‘ ‘ Let us go up the shore a short distance, ’ ’ sug- 
gested Bart. 


154 


THE WINNING BUN 


This suggestion was carried out, and inside of 
half an hour they located a spot where fishing 
proved to be excellent. They drew up some 
perch, some lake trout and rock bass, and Bart 
also landed a big fish which he could not exactly 
identify. 

‘ 1 This is what I call sport ! ’ 9 cried J oe, enthusi- 
astically. “Nine fish already and we haven ’t been 
at it an hour and a half all told ! ’ ’ 

‘ 4 Don ’t be too hilarious, ’ ’ cautioned Bart. 1 ‘ Our 
luck may desert us. ’ ’ 

By noon the boys had a beautiful mess of the 
finny tribe, and then they elected to go ashore, 
start up a camp-fire and cook three of the small 
fish to eat with the lunch they had brought along. 

The boat was drawn up under some brushwood, 
and soon they were making themselves thoroughly 
at home. The fish were done to a turn and proved 
particularly appetizing. For dessert they had 
green apple pie, which, to use Fred’s manner of 
expressing it, “just touched the spot.” 

“What do you say to a swim, fellows?” said 
Bart, after the meal was over. 


SWIMMING IN THE LAKE 155 

4 4 Just the ticket!” ejaculated Fred. “Come 
on!” 

4 4 Better wait awhile, ’ ’ cautioned Joe. 44 It is not 
healthy to go in directly after eating. ’ ’ 

“Oh, pshaw! I don’t believe that,” answered 
Bart, who had his coat already off. “Come on.” 

He was soon ready for the plunge and Fred fol- 
lowed. Seeing this, Joe could not help doing the 
same, and inside of ten minutes all three of the 
lads were in the water, plunging, swimming, 
laughing and shouting to their hearts’ content. 
The water was just cold enough to be bracing. 

“Never had a better swim in my life !” declared 
Fred. “Who is in for a race?” 

“I’ll race you!” came from Bart. 

“Count me in, too, Fred,” added Joe. 

4 4 Where shall we race to ? ” 

“See that old tree stump out there?” 

“Yes.” 

4 4 Well, let us swim to that and back to this rock. 
The first fellow to do it wins the race.” 

All were willing, and at the word from Fred 
each struck out as best he could. Soon Bart was in 


156 


THE WINNING RUN 


the lead, with Joe not far behind him. Fred was 
too stout to make rapid headway, and it is doubt- 
ful if he had any notion of winning the race when 
he suggested it. 

“Come on, Fred, we’ll show you the way!” 
shouted Bart, merrily. 

‘ 4 Don’t — don’t say a word!” spluttered the 
stout youth. “I’m watching to see that you swim 
fair!” 

“Take care that we don’t swim out of sight!” 
sang out Joe, gleefully. 

He began to swim faster than before, and 
soon his sturdy strokes took him alongside of 
Bart. Both touched the tree trunk at the same 
time. 

“Now for the home stretch!” cried Bart. And 
he struck out harder than ever. 

Joe also turned, and both swam a distance of 
several yards. 

“Where is Fred?” suddenly ejaculated Bart. 

“Fred?” 

“Yes. I can’t see him anywhere.” 

“He must be somewhere.” Joe lost interest in 


SWIMMING IN THE LAKE 157 

the race at once. ‘ 4 Fred, where are you V ’ he call- 
ed out. 

No answer came back and now Bart also shout- 
ed. Both boys gazed at each other in unexpected 
terror. 

“There he is!” 

“Help !” came faintly from the stout youth. His 
head had bobbed up for only an instant, and now 
he sank beneath the surface of the lake again. 

“He has a cramp, that’s what’s the matter!” 
came from Joe. “ Bart, we ’ll have to get him out ! ’ ’ 

“To be sure !” 

Both lost no time in swimming to where they 
had last seen the stout youth. 

“Do you see him now?” 

“No.” 

“Let us dive.” 

This was quickly agreed upon, and down went 
both boys only a couple of yards apart. The water 
was fairly clear, and soon Joe caught sight of 
Fred, doubled up with his knees to his chin. As he 
caught hold of his chum Fred clutched him madly 
around the neck. 


158 THE WINNING RUN 

It was an easy matter to drag the imperiled 
youth to the surface, but Joe could not break that 
hold and was in danger of being strangled. As 
Bart came up he shouted to his friend for assist- 
ance. 

“Gracious! but he has ’em bad!” was Bart’s 
comment, and then he swam in and tried to break 
Fred’s hold. He succeeded sufficiently for Joe to 
regain his breath, and then both boys lost no time 
in hauling Fred to the shore, where they laid him 
out on the grass and began to rub him. 

“Oh!” groaned Fred, when he could speak. 
‘ ‘ What a horrible experience ! ’ ’ 

“I should say it was horrible,” answered Bart. 
“'How do you feel?” 

“ As if I had been tied in a double knot ! ’ ’ 

“It was the dinner did it,” said Joe. “I told 
you not to go in so soon.” 

“I might have drowned if it hadn’t been for 
you, ’ ’ continued Fred, with a grateful look at first 
one and then the other. 

“It was certainly a close call,” answered Bart. 
‘ ‘ Why didn ’t you yell when you were first taken ? ’ ’ 


SWIMMING IN THE LAKE 159 

‘ ‘ I didn ’t have time. It came on me like a streak 
of lightning. I couldn’t strike out or use my 
voice . 9 ’ 

“You had better put on your clothing,” said 
Joe. 

“I will. I shan’t want to go swimming 
again this summer,” and the stout youth gave a 
shudder. 

“Well, I’ve had enough myself just for the pres- 
ent,” put in Bart. “To witness something like 
this takes all the nerve out of a chap.” 

Both Joe and Bart gave Fred a good rubbing 
down and assisted him into his clothing. Then they 
dressed themselves. 

“How do you feel now!” asked Joe. 

“All right, only a little weak in the legs and the 
stomach. ’ ’ 

“You needn’t to row,” put in Bart. “We’ll do 
that. You can take it easy.” 

“Let us rest for awhile in the sun,” said Joe. 
“It will do us ail good.” 

The others were willing, and they threw them- 
selves on a sloping hill where the sun shone bright- 


160 THE WINNING RUN 

ly, and where they could get a good view of the 
surrounding country. 

Just to the north of them was a creek which ran 
into Pine Lake. On both sides of the watercourse 
were trees and thick bushes. 

4 4 There used to be some wild blackberries 
around here, ’ 9 remarked J oe, presently. 4 4 W onder 
if we can find any ripe ones ? 9 9 

“Haven’t you had enough to eat?” asked Bart. 

4 4 Oh, a handful of berries isn’t very filling. We 
might take some home. My folks Well, I de- 

clare ! ’ ’ 

J oe stopped short and sprang to his feet, gazing 
in the neighborhood of the creek. 

4 4 What’s the matter, Joe?” 

4 4 Did you see that man who just came from the 
creek and ran into yonder woods ? ’ ’ 

44 I didn’t see anybody,” answered Fred. 

4 4 Neither did 1,” declared Bart. 

4 4 He was a young fellow and, unless I am great- 
ly mistaken, it was Dan Marcy.” 

44 Marcy!” came from the others. 

“Yes,” 


SWIMMING IN THE LAKE 161 


‘ ‘ What can he be doing here ? ’ 9 

6 ‘ I ’m sure I don ’t know . 9 9 

“We ought to follow him.” 

“All right.” 

In a moment more they had set off for the woods 
into which the stranger had disappeared. But they 
could not follow the fellow and soon gave up the 
hunt. 

“Did he see us?” asked Fred. 

“I don’t know. But he seemed to be in a tre- 
mendous hurry to get out of sight. ’ 9 

‘ 4 Then he must have seen us. ’ 9 

“If it was Marcy, perhaps the Sprite is some- 
where around here,” came from Bart, after a 
pause. 

“That is exactly what I was thinking,” an- 
swered Joe. 

“Let us go on the hunt for the sloop,” came 
from Fred. “Perhaps she is hidden up that 
creek.” 


CHAPTER XVI. 


THE FINDING OF THE SLOOP. 

As said before, the trees and bushes lining the 
creek on both sides were very close together, and 
the three boys had all they could do to get through 
to the edge of the water. 

“We would have done better had we rowed up 
the creek in our rowboat,” said Joe. “Wait a 
minute, I am all twisted up in this bramble bush. ’ ’ 

“Here is some line sassafras/ ’ came from Bart. 
“Wait till I get some to chew on.” And they all 
stopped until he had cut some tender shoots for 
each. Then they walked on until they came out on 
a bit of a clearing close to the water’s edge. 

“This looks like a wild goose chase,” said Fred. 
He had stepped into a deep hole and covered one 
foot with mud, which put him in anything but an 

agreeable frame of mind. 

162 


FINDING THE SLOOP 163 


1 1 This is the spot where Dan Marcy came 
from,” said Joe. “Let us walk up the creek a bit 
further.” 

“Hullo, what’s this?” cried Bart, a second later. 
“A paint pot, I declare, and with a little fresh 
paint in it. How did that get here ? ’ ’ 

“We must be on the right track!” shouted Joe. 

“How do you make that out, Joe?” 

“Don’t you see? If the Sprite is here Marcy 
must be painting her over and giving her a new 
name. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ That ’s so ! ” ejaculated Fred. ‘ ‘ That ’s just the 
color a fellow might use in painting a sloop. ’ ’ 

They hurried on, and presently came to a sharp 
turn where the bushes were thicker than ever. 

“You can’t get through there,” declared Bart. 

“If I can’t I’m going to swim up the creek,” 
came from Joe. “1 am positive we are on the 
right trail.” 

“There is something of a path,” said Fred, 
pointing to one side. “It seems to follow the 
creek, too. It cuts off this elbow.” 

They turned into the path, and this brought 


164 THE WINNING RUN 

them back to the creek at another point. Hardly 
had they come in sight of the water again than J oe 
set up a ringing shout : 

‘ ‘ There she is ! What did I tell you !’ ’ 

4 ‘The Sprite, as sure as guns!” came from 
Bart. 

“Won’t Paul and his uncle be glad to learn of 
this,” added Fred. 

A glance sufficed to show them that the craft was 
deserted. She had been run up into the creek as 
far as possible, and the trees and bushes all but 
hid her from view. Her sides were in two colors — 
the old on one and the new on the other. The new 
paint was not yet dry. 

“Is anybody around?” asked Bart, in a whisper. 

“I don’t see apvbody,” answered Joe. “Wait 
till we investigate.” 

They approached the sloop with caution, but 
soon ascertained that nobody was aboard the craft. 
Then they mounted to the deck, Bart getting some 
of the new paint on his hands as he did so. 

“I believe this was painted this morning,” said 
he, as he was cleaning his hands. “We got here 


FINDING THE SLOOP 165 

just in time. If the sloop was painted and had a 
new name how could one tell her ? ’ ’ 

4 'Perhaps PauPs uncle could tell her. He knows 
his craft pretty well. ’ ’ 

‘ ' He might and he might not. Marcy could cut 
down the mast a little and lengthen the bowsprit, 
and do things like that, and then nobody would 
know the boat. * ’ 

"Well, we nipped the plan in the bud,” said Joe. 
"And the best thing we can do is to get the sloop 
out on the lake and sail her to Lakeport. ’ ’ 

"And win the reward !” cried Fred. 

"It wouldn’t be fair for us to claim that re- 
ward,” put in Bart, quickly. "We helped to lose 
the sloop in the first place. ’ ’ 

"Of course. I was only fooling. But we are 
going to have our hands full getting the sloop out 
into the lake. ’ ’ 

"Let us bring around the rowboat,” suggested 
Joe. "Then we can use a rope and pull her out.” 

' ‘ By rowing ? ’ ’ queried Bart. 

"Oh, no, by carrying the rope forward and 
patching it around a tree.” 


166 


THE WINNING RUN 


This was considered a good plan, and J oe went 
off to get the rowboat. Soon he came up the creek, 
and as he drew closer they fastened a rope to the 
stern of the Sprite and threw the other end to him. 
Then all leaped aboard the rowboat and carried 
the rope to a tree fifty feet away. 

At first it was hard work to budge the sloop, but 
once she was started it was an easy matter to haul 
her down the creek to the lake. Then all went 
aboard, tying their rowboat on behind. The maim 
sail was hoisted, and with a fair breeze they were 
soon bowling merrily over the lake in the direction 
of Lakeport. 

“We didn’t get quite as many fish as we ex- 
pected, ’ ’ said Bart. 4 4 But we got a haul all right, 
didn ’t we V ’ 

“Won’t Marcy be mad when he hears that his 
sloop is gone,” said Fred. “That is, if it really 
was Marcy. ’ ’ 

“I am pretty certain it was Marcy,” answered 
Joe. “Still, I shouldn’t like to go into court to 
prove it. ’ ’ 

As they sailed down the lake they looked the 


FINDING THE SLOOP 167 
Sprite over carefully to see if the thief had left 
any trace of himself on board. But all they could 
find was a corn-cob pipe and a half paper of smok- 
ing tobacco, along with the crumbs and leavings of 
several meals. 

“Nothing here,” said Joe. 

Their coming back to Lakeport in a sloop when 
they had gone out in a rowboat caused a mild flut- 
ter of excitement down at the docks and this was 
increased when it was learned that the missing 
Sprite had been found. A boy was at once de- 
spatched to tell Mr. Shale the news, and presently 
he appeared, followed by his nephew. 

“This is great!” cried Paul, as he rushed on 
board. 

“Where did you find the craft?” questioned Mr. 
Shale. 

Their story was soon told, to which quite a gath- 
ering listened. But it was only to the gentleman 
himself and to Paul that they confided their sus- 
picion that Dan Marcy had been the one to take the 
sloop. 

“'But I can’t prove it,” added Joe, “and that 


168 THE WINNING RUN 

being so, perhaps I had better keep my mouth shut 
about it.” 

‘ 1 That is true, my lad, ' ' answered the owner of 
the sloop. “It would never do to accuse anybody 
wrongfully. Perhaps it will be a good plan to have 
this Marcy watched. ' ' 

Mr. Shale wished to reward the boys, but they 
would not listen to it, and as a result he promised 
to take them out on the lake whenever they wanted 
to go. 

‘ ‘ But the boat has got to be cleaned, scraped and 
painted first, ' ' he added. 1 ‘ 1 would never wish to 
use her. in her present condition.” 

When the boys were walking home Fred called 
Joe and Bart to one side. 

“Please don't say anything about that cramp I 
had,” he whispered. “If my folks hear about it 
they will never let me go near the water again.” 

“All right, I shan't say a word,” answered Joe. 
“But you want to be careful, Fred, about going 
into the water in the future . 7 7 

“Yes, for we can't afford to lose you off the 
club,” added Bart, and then he gave Fred's arm a 


FINDING THE SLOOP 169 

tight squeeze to show just what he did mean. He 
and the stout youth thought a great deal of each 
other. 

The members of the Lakeport Baseball Club had 
sent a challenge to the Brookside nine, offering to 
play a game on some Saturday afternoon in the 
near future. An answer was received, choosing 
the following Saturday. The game was to be play- 
ed at Brookside, where the local club had quite a 
nice grounds, although the grand stand was small. 

“Now we are going up against a pretty good 
club,” said Harry, after the acceptance was read. 

“Do you think they are any better than the Ex- 
celsiors ! ’ 9 a^ked Link. 

“They are just as good,” put in Walter. “My 
cousin knows them and he says so. ’ 9 

The rivalry between Lakeport and Brookside 
had always been intense, and in both towns the 
boys did nothing but talk of the coming game. The 
majority of the lads in Lakeport were sure the 
local nine would be victorious, but this feeling was 
not shaved by some of the members of the Excel- 


siors. 


170 


THE WINNING RUN 


‘ ‘Humph! they can’t win!” sneered Si Vonp. 
“ Just wait and see. Brookside will wax ’em out 
of their boots ! ’ ’ 

“ Just what I say,” said another player. “The 
Brookside fellows are at it nearly every day. Their 
team work is almost perfect. ’ ’ 

“Yes, and they have a fellow who can pitch the 
nastiest curve you ever went up against,” put in 
another. “I’m going to bet on Brookside. ’ ’ 

Sidney Yates was in the crowd, but he had little 
to say. The Excelsiors were going to play a team 
from Camdale that week, and it galled him ex- 
ceedingly to think that he could not be on the 
team. 

“It’s all on account of that Fred Rush,” he 
grumbled to himself. “And Fred is going to 
Brookside next Saturday to play, while I’ve got to 
stay at the mill and work ! It’s a shame ! I wish I 
could spoiLhis fun for him. ’ ’ 

From thinking of Fred, Sidney got to thinking 
of the other members of the Lakeport nine, and he 
soon reached the conclusion that he hated them all. 

“Oh, if I could only do something to spoil that 


FINDING THE SLOOP 171 


game for them ! ’ ’ he told himself. 6 ‘ If I could only 
do something ! ’ 9 

When a person wishes to do wrong it is usually 
not long before an opportunity presents itself. 
Sidney went past the Darrow homestead that 
afternoon and saw some of the club members in 
front of the carpenter shop, dusting and cleaning 
their baseball suits, which were usually kept on 
hooks in the club room, the association not having 
as yet had lockers built for that purpose. ’ 9 

“I’ve got it!” he told himself. “I wonder if I 
can work it? Oh, it’s just the dandy scheme. 
Won’t they feel sick all over when they find out 
what has happened ! ’ 9 


CHAPTEB XVII. 


IN WHICH THE CLUB'S OUTFIT DISAPPEARS. 

Sidney Yates was well acquainted with a boy 
some years younger than himself, named Billy 
Fram. Billy belonged to a family that had never 
held a very good name in Lakeport, and the boy 
often played truant from school and was known 
for his mean habits. 

It was to Billy Fram that Sidney went after see- 
ing the baseball club members cleaning and brush- 
ing up their suits for the game with Brookside. 
He had gone to Billy several times before and 
always got the boy to do some dirty piece of work 
for him. Sidney himself was too much of a coward 
to do what was now in his mind. 

1 i Billy, I want you,” he said. 

“Wot yer want?” demanded Billy, suspiciously. 
He was “in hot water” so much he viewed every 
demand on him with suspicion. 

172 


THE OUTFIT DISAPPEARS 173 


“I want you to do something for me.” 

“Wot?” 

“It isn’t very much and I’ll pay you handsomely 
for it,” went on Sidney. 

“All right, I’ll do it,” answered Billy promptly. 
“Is it old Jackson’s cow ag’in?” He had once 
driven off a cow for Sidney and got five cents 
for it. 

“No, it isn’t the cow, it’s something else.” 

“Well, tell me wot it is.” 

“You’ll keep it to yourself, won’t you?” 

“Huh! Don’t I allers keep things to myself?” 
grumbled Billy. 

“If you’ll do what I want done I’ll give you ten 
cents. ’ ’ 

“ ’Tain’t awful bad, is it?” 

“No, it’s only a little joke.” 

“I won’t git took in fer it, will I?” 

“Oh, no.” 

“Then I’ll do it,” answered Billy, readily. 

“And you won’t tell anybody about it, or that I 
put you up to it?” 

“Course I won’t.” 


174 THE WINNING RUN 

“Well then, you know the boys of the Lakeport 
Baseball Club?” 

“Sure — the Joe Westmore crowd.” 

“Yes. They have a clubroom upstairs in Mr. 
Darrow’s carpenter shop.” 

“Yes, I know dat, too.” 

“In their clubroom they keep their uniforms.” 

“All right, let ’em keep ’em.” 

“But I want you to get the uniforms.” 

“Wot, you want me ter steal ’em?” 

4 ‘ Oh, no. I want you to get them and hide them, 
so that when they start to play ball with the 
Brooksides next Saturday they’ll have to do it in 
their street clothes.” 

“Oh, dat’s de wrinkle, eh? Where do yer want 
me to hide ’em?” 

Sidney looked around, to make sure that nobody 
was close by, and then whispered something into 
the other boy’s ear. 

1 i It will be dead easy, ’ ’ he continued. “You can 
do it some time to-morrow.” 

“Yes, if de carpenter shop ain’t locked,” re- 
turned Billy. 


THE OUTFIT DISAPPEARS 175 


‘ ‘ I know where they keep the key — close to Mrs. 
Darrow’s washhouse door. ,, 

“It’s a big risk. If I do dat I want twenty-five 
cents,” said Billy, after considering the matter. 

‘ ‘ No, I ’ll give you ten. ’ 9 

“Make it twenty V 9 

“No.” 

“All right den, I won’t do it.” 

“I’ll give you fifteen cents,” said Sidney, and at 
last Billy said he would undertake the task for that 
sum and received five cents on account, which he 
lost no time in spending for candy and a doughnut. 

Billy thought that early in the morning would 
be a good time to visit the carpenter shop, and he 
was in that vicinity by half-past seven o ’clock. He 
saw Mr. Darrow and two workmen go away to 
their daily labors. One of the workmen hung the 
key in the accustomed place, and, watching his 
chance, the lad procured it without much trouble. 
Then he hung around until he was certain nobody 
was looking, and made his way into the building 
and upstairs to the clubroom. 

On a dozen hooks of a side wall hung the uni- 


176 THE WINNING RUN 
forms, all ready to be donned on the following Sat- 
urday morning, when the club would start up the 
lake for Brookside. Working with all the haste 
possible, Billy caught them into a bundle and ran 
to a rear window of the shop. He let them fall on 
the ground below and then dropped down gloves, 
masks and the rest of the club outfit. 

As has been mentioned before, there was an old- 
fashion cistern behind the carpenter shop. It was 
not used, but Mr. Darrow kept it full of water, 
thinking that it might be a handy thing in case of 
fire in the shop. It was surrounded by a low, 
square box, having a hinged lid on the top. 

Sneaking downstairs, Billy locked the door of 
the shop and put the key where he had found it. 
Then he ran to the rear of the shop and gathered 
up the uniforms and other things and carried them 
over to the cistern. 

“I hope nobody ain’t seem’ me!” he muttered, 
anxiously. “Dis ain’t no little trick ter do, dis 
ain’t!” 

He opened the lid of the cistern and gazed down 
into the opening. Then he looked around the yard. 





■ 




■m 






The outfit disappears 






THE OUTFIT DISAPPEARS 177 

Nobody was in sight. He gathered up the uni- 
forms, masks, gloves and other things, and down 
went the whole outfit of the club into the water. 
This done, he closed the lid of the cistern quickly, 
and lost no time in scooting down through a wagon 
way which led to a back street of the town. On a 
corner he met Sidney, on his way to the mill. 

“It's done,” he said, briefly. “I want me 
money. ’ ’ 

“You took every uniform?” 

“Yes, an’ de udder t’ings, too.” 

“And put everything into the cistern?” 

“Yes. Where’s de money you promised me fer 
de job?” 

“Here it is,” and Sidney passed the amount 
over in pennies. 

“It ought to be more.” 

‘ 1 That is what I promised you. I am not going 
to pay more,” answered Sidney, firmly. 

“Don’t you ever lay dis on to me,” said Billy, 
on parting. “If you do I’ll tell folks you set me 
up to it. ’ ’ And then he passed out of hearing be- 
fore Sidney could answer back. 


178 THE WINNING RUN 

The trick had been played on Friday morning, 
and as it happened none of the members of the 
baseball club chanced to go up to the clubroom 
until late in the afternoon. 

44 Hullo, where are the uniforms and the rest of 
the things!” queried Bart. 

“I’m sure I don’t know,” answered Fred, who 
was with him. 

“Maybe Joe or Link took them to have them 
brightened up,” suggested Walter. 

“The uniforms were cleaned the other day,” 
answered Bart. 

“Well, they are gone.” 

“Yes, I can see that as well as you can. Here 
comes Harry. Let us ask him about this.” 

“Why, I don’t know anything about this,” said 
Harry, when questioned. “Aren’t any of you fool- 
ing?” 

“I’m not.” 

“Neither am I.” 

“Then let us ask the other fellows. Perhaps 
somebody has stolen the outfit. ’ ’ 

“Stolen it!” came from nearly all of the others. 


THE OUTFIT DISAPPEARS 179 

Harry had left Joe and Matt down at the corner, 
and he lost no time in interviewing them. The 
news spread, and soon every member of the team 
but Teddy Dugan was present. 

‘ 4 This is either a trick, or else the outfit has been 
stolen/ ’ declared Joe, bitterly. 

“ Maybe the Excelsiors know something about 
it,” suggested Link. i 1 Wait till I ask my mother 
about the key. Fred, did you find it in the usual 
place ? ’ ’ 

“ I did.” 

Mrs. Darrow and also her hired girl were ap- 
pealed to, but both declared they knew nothing of 
the affair. They had seen no stranger take the key. 

“This is the worst yet!” groaned Frank. “If 
we can’t get those uniforms back, what are we to 
do? We can’t go to Brookside in our regular 
clothes.” 

“Maybe the Excelsiors will lend us their uni- 
forms?” came from one of the club members. 

“Not much! They don’t like us well enough, 
and, besides, they are going to play a game them- 
selves,” answered another. 


180 


THE WINNING RUN 


“Let us take a look around the shop,” sug- 
gested Harry. “They may be hidden close at 
hand. ’ ’ 

The suggestion was followed out, and they look- 
ed high and low around the building and even 
under it, and also in the yard and in the woodshed. 
Joe glanced into the cistern, but the outfit had 
sunk out of sight and he saw nothing but muddy 
water. 

“This beats the cars!” exclaimed Bart, sitting 
down on a saw-horse to rest. “What in the world 
are we to do, fellows f ’ ’ 

“Don’t ask me,” responded Matt. “We can’t 
even hire other uniforms, so far as I know. ’ ’ 

“They’ll laugh at us if we go to Brookside in 
our plain clothes,” put in Paul. 

It soon became noised around the vicinity that 
the outfit of the club was missing, and several men 
and boys joined in the search, which was continued 
until dark. Then the club members locked up the 
shop once more and each went home to get supper. 

“If this isn’t a measly shame then I don’t know 
what is,” declared Joe. “I thought we’d be able 


THE OUTFIT DISAPPEARS 181 

to make a fine appearance when we went out of 
town for the first time. ,, 

“We might get out our old hunting knickerbock- 
ers and sweaters, ’ ’ said his brother. ‘ 1 They would 
be better than our street clothes.” 

“Yes, but no two sweaters are alike.” 

“I know that.” 

“For two pins I’d send a message to the Brook- 
sides, asking them to postpone the game.” 

“Well, we might do that,” answered Harry, and 
there the unsatisfactory conversation came to an 
end. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


AN EXPOSURE, AND WHAT FOLLOWED. 

Frank Pemberton was just finishing his supper 
when he heard a well-known whistle outside of his 
gate, and lost no time in answering the boyish call. 
Outside he found a lad named Charlie Crown 
awaiting him. Charlie was about Frank’s age. 
He was a cripple and could not play ball or other 
games, but took a great interest in the athletic 
sports. 

4 4 What ’s up, Charlie ? ’ 9 asked Frank, as he met 
the cripple near the gate. 

‘ ‘ I want to see you, ’ 9 was the low answer. ‘ 4 1 Ve 
got something to tell.” 

“All right, fire away,” answered Frank, and 
walked away from the gate with the other boy. 

“I want you to promise that you won’t tell any- 
body first,” went on Charlie. “The reason I ask 

is, because I don’t want to get into trouble.” 

182 


AN EXPOSURE 183 

“I shan’t get you into trouble if I can help it, 
Charlie.” 

“It’s about those lost uniforms and other things 
that belong to your baseball club.” 

“What about them?” and now Frank was all 
curiosity. 

“They are really gone, aren’t they?” 

“Yes.” 

“Well, I was down near Hatfield’s lumber yard 
this morning, and I heard something that I didn’t 
think much of just then, but I think more of it 
now. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ What did you hear ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Something that was said between Sidney 
Yates and Billy Fram.” And then the cripple re- 
lated the conversation recorded in the previous 
chapter. 

“Put everything in the cistern?” cried Frank. 
“They must have meant the cistern back of the 
carpenter shop.” 

“Is there one there?” 

“Yes.” 


“Then that must be it.” 


184 


THE WINNING RUN 


‘ 1 1 ’ll go and find out at once. ’ 9 

“You won’t say that I told you, will you?” 
asked Charlie, anxiously. “If Sidney heard of it 
he’d hammer the life out of me the first chance he 
got.” 

“I’d like to catch him at it,” returned Frank, 
with flashing eyes. “If he ever lays his hands on 
you just you let me know. But I won’t mention 
you if you’d rather have it that way.” 

Fearful that he might be suspected of exposing 
the plot, Charlie declined to go to the carpenter 
shop, so Frank started off alone. On the way he 
picked up Matt and Fred, and at the shop Link 
joined them. 

“We’ll have to get a lantern to look into the old 
cistern,” said Link. “It’s as dark as pitch down 
there. What a mean thing to do ! ” 

A lantern was procured and lit, and the crowd 
of boys hurried to the cistern and raised the 
lid. 

“Put the lantern on the end of a pole,” sug- 
gested Frank. 4 ‘ We can’t see anything unless it is 
close to the water.” 


AN EXPOSURE 


185 


“I think we can get the whole cistern top off,” 
added Link. 1 ‘ That will help so mnch more. ’ ’ 

With the top removed, and the lantern lowered 
on a pole, it was not long before they discovered 
one of the uniforms floating around in the water. 
This they fished out with a clothes pole having a 
nail at the end, and several other uniforms and a 
catcher’s mask followed. 

‘ ‘ This was the plan, ’ ’ cried Link. ‘ 1 It beats any- 
thing I ever heard of for meanness. We ought to 
have Billy Fram and Sidney Yates arrested!” 

“What we want to do first is to make sure that 
all of the things are here,” came from Matt. 
“Keep on fishing, boys!” And the way he said 
this caused a brief laugh. 

They did keep on fishing, and in the end brought 
out all of the uniforms and nearly all of the rest 
of the club outfit. Several gloves could not be 
gotten and these were left at the bottom of the 
cistern for the time being. 

‘ ‘ These suits are a sight to see, ’ ’ declared Link. 
“They must be washed and dried before we can 


use them.” 


186 


THE WINNING EUN 


“They certainly have got to be washed/’ re- 
turned another of the boys. 

“I’ve got a plan ! ’ ’ cried Frank. * 4 Let us march 
to Mr. Yates’ house and show him just what was 
done. We can take the wet outfit with us. ’ ’ 

This was agreed to, and Mr. Darrow, who had 
come out of the house to aid them, said he would 
go along. 

It was quite a procession that lined up on the 
board walk of the Yates’ home, which stood some 
distance back from the street. Frank rang the bell 
and Mr. Yates himself answered the summons. 

“What’s this?” cried the mill superintendent. 
“A surprise party?” 

“If it is, it’s a disagreeable one, Mr. Yates,” 
said Frank. “We want to show you what sort of a 
trick Sidney has been playing on us — he and that 
Billy Fram.” 

“What are you doing with those wet clothes?” 

“Sidney had Billy Fram steal them from our 
clubroom and throw them into Mr. Darrow ’s cis- 
tern.” 

Of course Mr. Yates was astonished, and at first 


AN EXPOSURE 187 

he would not believe what was told him. Sidney 
had gone out, but came back in the midst of the 
interview. 

“See here, what does this mean?” demanded 
his father, catching him by the ear. “Answer me, 
did you do this?” 

“ Oh ! ” screamed Sidney. “ Don ’t ! I — I didn ’t 
do nothing ! ’ ’ 

“He had it done, and we can prove it,” an- 
swered Frank. 

“I — I didn’t do it!” Sidney was so scared he 
lost his head. ‘ ‘ Billy Fram did it ! Oh, let me go, 
please do !” 

“Yes, but you paid Billy Fram to do it,” put in 
Link. “You needn’t deny it, for we can prove 
everything. ’ ’ 

‘ 4 Did Billy tell on me?” whined Sidney. “ If he 
did I’ll— I’ll ” 

“So you did have something to do with it, eh?” 
cried Mr. Yates. “A fine piece of business for you, 
I must say!” 

‘ ‘ Billy did it. I didn ’t do it ! ” 

“Yes, but you hired him to do it, and when it 


188 


THE WINNING RUN 


was done you paid him money, too,” came from 
Frank. “ You ought to be in jail this minute ! ’ ’ 

“I am going to get at the bottom of this, ’ ’ said 
Mr. Yates, in a hard voice, which made his son 
shiver . 4 ‘ Sidney, you ought to be ashamed of your- 
self.” He turned to the boys and Mr. Darrow. 
‘ ‘ Where is this Billy Fram ? ’ ’ 

‘‘Here he is!” came a voice from the rear, and 
two of the club members, who had slipped off after 
the little rascal, marched up with the lad between 
them. 

“It wasn’t my fault!” sniveled Billy Fram. 
‘ ‘ Sidney said he had a right to do it — that the club 
hadn’t treated him honestly. I wouldn’t have done 
it on my own account nohow! It’s all his fault !” 
And then he began to bellow loudly. 

“You shut up, or I’ll give you something to cry 
for,” said Frank. “Now tell the whole thing, and 
tell it straight, too. ’ ’ 

Thoroughly frightened, Billy told his story, ex- 
cusing himself in every possible way. Mr. Yates 
listened closely and put a number of questions to 
the lad. 


AN EXPOSURE 


189 


“It seems to me, Mr. Yates, the least you can do 
is to have these suits cleaned and dried for us,” 
said Frank. 

“I’ll certainly have that done, boys — or you can 
have it done and I’ll pay the bill. Take them to 
Kolish, the tailor, if you wish. ’ 9 

The matter was talked over, and in the mean- 
time Sidney was sent up to his room. The boys 
allowed Billy Fram to go, but he was warned to 
keep his distance or they would make Lakeport too 
hot to hold him. He sneaked off like a whipped 
cur, and then the club members went off to hunt up 
the tailor, who did all sorts of odd jobs outside of 
making new clothes. 

“I’ll wager Sidney catches it,” said Link, 
on the way, and he was right. Sidney received 
one of the hardest thrashings ever given to 
him, and his spending money was cut off for a 
month. 

The tailor when roused up said he would go to 
work that very night on the uniforms and do his 
best with them. Frank remained two hours to 
help him, and as a consequence by nine o’clock the 


190 THE WINNING RUN 

next morning the suits were washed, dried and 
pressed, and looked almost as good as new. The 
bill amounted to eight dollars, and this Mr. Yates 
paid without a murmur. 

The boys had arranged to go to Brookside in a 
big stage, and it was a jolly crowd of twenty-six 
that occupied the turnout. Another stage followed 
and also several carriages, while a number of folks 
went up to Brookside by the lake steamer and in 
naphtha launches. 

When they arrived at Brookside they were es- 
corted to the baseball grounds by the members of 
the rival club, who did all in their power to make 
our young friends comfortable. 

4 ‘ They believe in treating us better than the Ex- 
celsiors did, ’ ’ was Harry ’s comment. ‘ ‘ I guess we 
are going to have a good game.” 

‘ ‘ They certainly look to be in the best of condi- 
tion,” answered Fred. “That Roy Willetts has a 
splendid arm for pitching. ’ ’ 

George Dixon was the captain of the club and he 
played sliortstop. He was a curly-headed fellow 
and full of fun. 


AN EXPOSURE 191 

‘‘Sorry, Joe, but this is the day you are not to 
get a run, ’ ’ said he, coming up on the field. 

“Don’t be so sure about that, George,” an- 
swered Joe. “It would be a poor score if it read 
Oto 0.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“I mean it’s a sure thing that you won’t get a 
run. I’m not so certain of my own club.” 

‘ ‘ Oh, come off ! ’ ’ George Dixon began to laugh. 
“Well, 1 hope we have a good square game all 
around, don’t you?” 

“I certainly do.” 

At the last minute Walter Bannister had been 
unable to play on the nine and Augustus De Yere 
was put in his place. 

“I don’t like the substitution,” said Link to 
Bart. 

“Neither do- 1, but I suppose Joe feels he ought 
to give Gus a chance. He’s always blowing about 
what he can do.” 

“I’d rather have Teddy Dugan in the place.” 

“So would I, or even Lanky Suttervane.” 

Practice was soon over, and the umpire went out 


192 THE WINNING RUN 

into the field. The toss-up gave Lakeport the 
choice of innings and they sent Brookside to the 
bat. Then the umpire called out , i ‘ Play ball ! ’ ’ and 
the contest was begun. 


CHAPTER XIX. 

THE GAME AT BROOKSIDE. 

Contrary to expectations, both sides failed to 
score in the first and second innings of the game. 
Brookside got a man to second and Lakeport two 
men to first, but that was all. Each pitcher sent 
two batters out on strikes. 

“This is certainly going to be a close game,” 
said more than one. “The nines are very evenly 
matched. 7 1 

When the Brooksides came to the bat in the 
third inning the second player up made a safe base 
hit. This was followed by a sacrifice hit which 
took the runner to second. Then came another 
base hit. 

This was more interesting than before, and the 

crowd watched the next batter take his position 
193 


194 THE WINNING RUN 
with interest. He was a long hitter and knowing 
this Joe motioned to the fielders back of him to be 
on the lookout for a big drive. 

“One ball ! ’ ? cried the umpire as the first ball 
was pitched. And this was followed by a strike. 

“Run on anything,” cautioned the coach to the 
two men on bases. ‘ 4 Two out . 9 9 

Again the ball came in. It was swiftly delivered 
by Joe, but by good luck the Brookside player 
struck it squarely and sent it high up in the air 
towards leftfield. 

“Run! run!” shouted a hundred voices. 
“Run!” And the batter, as well as those on the 
bases, started to run with might and main. 

“Catch it, He Vere!” came the cry from the 
Lakeport supporters. 

“It’s an easy fly!” 

“Those runs won’t count!” 

The ball was well up in the air and almost di- 
rectly over Augustus He Vere’s head. But 
strange to say the dudish player ran first back- 
ward and then forward and then skipped from 
side to side. 


THE GAME AT BROOKSIDE 195 


“ Don’t miss that, Gus ! ’ ’ yelled Joe. ‘ 4 It's your 
ball and it ? s easy, old man!’ > 

“He’s going to miss it as sure as fate !” groaned 
Harry. 

“Oh, he can’t miss that,” came from another 
player. 

One runner was already home and the others 
were well on the way when the ball came within 
a foot of Augustus He Vere’s hands. He put up 
one hand feebly, stared hard at the sphere, and 
then let it roll behind him on the ground. 

“He’s dropped it ! ” 

“Come in! Come in! You’ve got dead loads 
of time ! ” 

“Get the ball!” screamed Joe and some others. 
i ‘ Throw up the ball ! ’ ’ And now Paul Shale ran 
toward the spot where the ball lay. He Vere 
turned around, stared blankly in one direction and 
another, and fell flat upon the ball and rolled over. 
Then Paul Shale came up, snatched the leather 
sphere from the grass and sent it to the home 
plate with unerring accuracy. But it was too late 
—the three runs were in. 


196 


THE WINNING EUN 


“Oh, what baby play!” 

4 4 That gives Brookside three runs ! ’ 9 

4 4 Hullo, butter-fingers ! Y ou had better go home 
to your mammy!” 

4 4 Give him a crab-net to catch with ! ’ 9 

“He did it on purpose! Send him off the 
field!” 

By this time Joe was approaching Augustus De 
Yere. 

“Why didn’t you hang on to that ball, Gus?” 
he demanded. 

4 4 1 — er — I — it slipped before I knew it ! ” stam- 
mered the dudish youth. 

4 4 It was the easiest kind of a fly to catch.” 

4 4 Was it?” 

“Certainly it was. You were going to do such 
big things, and here you go and get badly rattled 
the first thing!” continued Joe, bitterly. 

4 4 Humph! if that’s the way you’re going to talk 
I won’t play any more!” grumbled Augustus De 
Vere. 4 4 You pitched the ball and let him hit it ! ” 

“I don’t deny that, but you ought to have made 
more of an effort to catch it than you did.” 


THE GAME AT BROOK SIDE 197 


* ‘ Put liim off ! Put him off ! ” came in a chorus 
from the side of the field. 

“1 — I guess I won’t play any more,” said Au- 
gustus. 4 4 The sun makes my head ache. ’ ’ And he 
turned and hurried for the bench. A minute later 
he disappeared and that was the last seen of him 
during that game. 

“ Teddy, go down and cover leftfield,” said Joe. 
“And don’t you drop any flies.” 

“Not on yer necktie!” cried the Irish lad. “If 
I do, you can duck me in the lake be the heels fer 
it ! ” And off he scampered, his freckled face on a 
broad grin. 

The rest of the inning was short, the next player 
going out on a pop fly to third. Then the Lake- 
ports came in, to try their luck again and talk over 
De Vere’s error. 

4 4 1 always said he was a stick, ’ ’ grumbled Matt. 
“A stick and a gas bag combined.” 

“Perhaps he thought the ball too dirty to hold,” 
suggested Bart, with a grin. “He loves to keep 
his hands lily white.” 

No more runs were scored until the sixth inning, 


198 THE WINNING RUN 

when Brookside added one more to its total. Lake- 
port also scored twice, much to the satisfaction of 
its supporters. 

The seventh inning was also a blank for each 
side. Then came the eighth which left the score 
Brookside 7, Lakeport 4. One of the runs put down 
for the latter team was made by Teddy Dugan and 
of this the little Irish lad was wonderfully proud. 

‘ 4 Good for you, Teddy !” cried Joe, slapping 
him on the back. “I am sorry now I didn’t put 
you on the nine in the first place. ’ 9 

“We Ve got to do some tall hustling, to beat that 
lead,” said Fred, with a doubtful shake of his 
head. 

“It looks like we were up against it good and 
hard, don ’t it ? 9 9 came from Link. ‘ ‘ W ell, we must 
expect to be beaten sometimes.” 

“We are not beaten yet,” added Matt, deter- 
minedly. 

By good pitching Joe managed to put the Brook- 
side players out in one-two-three order in the ninth 
inning. When this was over he breathed a sigh of 
relief. 


THE GAME AT BROOK SIDE 199 


‘ 4 Thank fortune, they can ’t get any more runs ! ’ ’ 
he said to his brother. 

The batting order was the same as when they 
had played the Excelsiors and Fred was the first 
player up in the ninth inning. 

4 4 Now, Fred, do something !” pleaded Joe. 
“Don’t let them down us too easily.” 

The first ball pitched was a good one and Fred 
drove it down to center. He flew rather than ran 
to first. 

44 Good!” cried Joe, and ran down to coach him. 
4 4 Now, make second if you can!” 

Matt next came to the bat, and knocked a safe 
hit to rightfield. Up came the ball to second, but 
it was too high and passed over the base player ’s 
head. The pitcher of the Brooksides caught it, 
but by that time Fred was safe on second and 
Matt safe on first. 

4 4 That’s the way to do it!” sang out Joe. 
4 4 Keep the ball rolling, boys! We’ve got ’em on 
the run ! ’ ’ 

Frank was next to the bat, and with two strikes 
on him knocked a short ball into centerfield. The 


200 THE WINNING RUN 

second baseman went after it and likewise the 
fielder and as a consequence both bumped together 
and neither got the ball. Seeing this, Fred, who 
had already reached third, tore up to home, while 
Matt leaped and slid down to second. Frank, of 
course, got to first with ease. 

‘ ‘ Hurrah ! one run in and two men on base ! ’ 1 

1 1 And nobody out ! ’ ’ 

It was now Harry >s turn to bat. Evidently the 
pitcher of the rival nine was worried, for he soon 
had two balls called on him. Then Harry let an- 
other go and it was called a strike. The next 
ball was all right and Harry banged it down to 
shortstop. It was a fatal spot, for the rival 
player picked it up and put Matt out at third. 
Then he threw it to second, but Frank was 
declared safe by the umpire on a somewhat close 
decision. 

“Joe Westmore to the bat, Link Darrow on 
deck!” sang out the scorer, and Joe came up and 
took his position beside the home plate. The ball 
came in so close to him that he would have been 
struck had he not leaped back. The catcher let it 


THE GAME AT BROOK SIDE 201 


pass him, and up came Frank to third, while Harry 
ran down to second. 

“That’s the way to do it!” cried one of the 
Lakeport boys. “Keep the ball rolling.” 

J oe watched his opportunity and with one strike 
on him, hit a safe one to leftfield. This took him 
to first and brought Frank home. 

i 6 Another run for Lakeport ! ’ ’ 

* ‘ One run more and the score will be a tie ! ” 

“Now, Lakeport, do your best!” 

Harry was now on third and Link was at the bat. 
The latter tried to “line the leather out,” but 
failed and sent the ball halfway down to the pitch- 
er. Off he sprinted for first while Harry flew to- 
wards home. The ball came in, but it was too late. 
Harry was safe. 

“ A tie ! A tie ! Seven to seven ! 9 9 

“Now, Lakeport, bring in the winning run?” 

‘ ‘ Don ’t you let them do it, Brookside . 9 9 

The excitement was now at a fever heat and the 
majority of the spectators were standing up and 
crowding forward. 

Paul Shale now came forward. He knocked two 


202 THE WINNING RUN 

fouls and then sent up a pop fly which the pitcher 

gathered in with ease. 

“Too bad!” 

“One more chance, Lakeport. Now see what 
you can do!” 

Teddy was already in position, with a grim look 
of determination on his freckled face. With all 
the strength of his arms he struck at the sphere 
and it went high up in the air, in the direction of 
first base. 

“Run!” was the yell. “Run!” But running 
was useless, the baseman got the ball ; and the in- 
ning came to 4 finish. Score, Brookside 7, Lake- 
port 7. 

‘ 4 They have got to play another inning ! ’ ’ 

It was quickly begun and as quickly finished, 
neither side scoring. 

4 4 We will play one more inning,” announced the 
umpire. 4 4 It is getting too dark to play more.” 

“Pm satisfied,” said Joe. 

4 4 So am I,” added George Dixon. 

The Brooksides were soon to the bat. One man 
managed to get to second, but that was all. 


THE GAME AT BROOK SIDE 203 


1 4 Now, Lakeport, is your last chance ! ’ ’ 

The first player to the bat went out on a foul. 
The second got to first and then to third. But the 
next man was struck out, and a short fly followed 
which was gathered in by the second baseman of 
the Brooksides. 

4 4 All over!” announced the umpire. 

4 4 Seven to seven ! Eleven innings and a tie ! ’ ’ 

4 4 Boys, that was a swell game, wasn’t it?” 

4 4 Best game I ever saw in my life ! ’ 9 
So the comments ran on, while the rival players 
gathered together and shook hands. 

4 4 We’ll have to play another game some day,” 
said George Dixon to Joe. 

4 4 All right, I’m willing,” answered the captain 
of the Lakeports. 


CHAPTER XX. 


HAKE AND HOUNDS. 

Of course mv young readers cannot expect me 
to relate all the particulars of all the games of ball 
the members of the Lakeport Club played that sea- 
son. During the following week they met a nine 
from the village of Racine and won the game by a 
score of 9 to 6, and later met a club from Jackson 
Flats and won by a score of 18 to 12. They also 
had a match with some big boys from Haven 
Center and suffered defeat by a score of 11 to 8. 

4 4 Those fellows were too big for us,” said 
Harry. 

4 4 Yes, and I am certain one or two were pro- 
fessionals,” added Link. 4 4 We had better leave 
them alone after this, ’ * and they did. 

At the village of Camdale, when they went to 
play the local nine, they had rather a trying ex- 
perience. They won the game by the close score of 

204 


HARE AND HOUNDS 205 

8 to 9, and the Camdale Club refused to consider 
themselves beaten. 

“It was your own umpire,” said Joe to the 
Camdale captain. “The game is ours and we 
want our rightful share of the gate receipts.” 

“Two of the runs you got didn't count!” struck 
in the Camdale first baseman, a fellow who looked 
like a perfect bruiser. 

“I say they did count, and the umpire says so 
too,” declared Joe, bravely. “We want our 
money.” 

One word brought on another, and at last sev- 
eral of the Camdale players, backed up by some 
town roughs, began to show fight. Blows were 
given and taken freely, but in the end the Camdale 
fellows were forced to retreat. Then Joe threat- 
ened two of the crowd with arrest ; and in the end 
the Lakeport nine received what was justly due 
them and marched off in triumph. 

“I don't want to play that gang again,” said 
Fred in disgust. 

“They aren’t fit for any club to play with,” 
came from Harry. 


206 THE WINNING RUN 

< ‘ After this we shall have to be more particular 
about our challenges,’ ’ added Joe. 1 4 Before we 
send a challenge or accept one we must find out if 
the rival club is made up of decent fellows.” 

Following his one appearance on the ball field 
Augustus De Vere sent in his resignation as a 
member of the club and it was promptly accepted. 

“I really don’t care for the game, don’t you 
know,” drawled Augustus, when speaking of it 
later. ‘ 4 It ’s a rude pastime at the best. I ’d rather 
take a stroll, don’t you know, or play pool.” 

“Well, everybody to his taste,” answered Joe, 
briefly. 

“You didn’t win that game anyhow,” said the 
dudish young man, maliciously. 

“No, but we tied the score and that was some- 
thing. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Humph ! I don ’t wish to play a game if I can ’t 
win or lose,” said Augustus, and with this unsatis- 
factory answer he walked off. 

Though the boys thought a great deal of base- 
ball, they did not neglect other sports, and one day 
a grand game of hare and hounds was instituted. 


HARE AND HOUNDS 207 

The hares were Harry and Link, while Bart was 
made the chief of the hounds. Each of the hares 
carried several bags of clipped slips of paper and 
also a lunch, and the hounds were likewise pro- 
vided with something to eat. 

“^Ve shall give you exactly fifteen minutes in 
which to get away in,” declared Bart to the hares. 
“At exactly twelve o’clock, no matter where you 
are, you must stop for one hour in which to rest 
and eat your lunch.” 

“And you must do the same,” said Harry; and 
so it was agreed. It was likewise agreed that the 
run should be planned to last from nine in the 
morning until four or five o ’clock in the afternoon. 

The day for the game opened brightly and by 
quarter to nine the hares and hounds assembled 
at the starting point, which was the public square 
of Lakeport. A gentleman was there to act as 
starter, and promptly on the stroke of nine he sent 
the hares off and at exactly quarter after nine the 
hounds followed on the trail. 

“Now, Harry, we have got to hump ourselves,” 
declared Link, as they struck off down the street 


208 THE WINNING RUN 

and turned the first corner. “Don't forget that 
some of those other chaps can run better than we 
can.” 

“I’m willing to hump as much as I can, Link, 
but we don’t want to tire ourselves out the very 
first thing,” declared Harry. 

They had already settled on the first two miles 
of their run, and this took them out of Lakeport 
and along the lake for a distance of a mile and 
then up a hill leading to what was known as Dud- 
ley’s Pastures. From the pastures they crossed 
a small creek, and then struck up another hill, lead- 
ing to Bramberry’s Woods. 

‘ ‘ They have started after us, ’ ’ cried Harry, con- 
sulting his watch. 

“Well, we’ve got a pretty stiff lead,” answered 
his feliow hare. “All we have got to do is to keep 
it.” 

“Do you know the way through the woods! I 
don’t.” 

“I think I know it,” answered Harry. 

They were soon plowing their way through the 
undergrowth. They had another stream of water 


HARE AND HOUNDS 209 

to cross, and once on the other side Link let out a 
sudden scream : 

‘ 4 A snake ! Look out ! ’ ’ 

“Is it a rattler ?” queried Harry in alarm. 

“No, I don’t think it is.” 

The snake was curled up in the sun, on a 
fallen log. It raised its ugly head at them, then 
whipped around and glided away among some 
rocks. 

“ Ugh ! I don ’t like that ! ’ 9 came from Link. 

“Nor I. Let us get out of the woods as quickly 
as we can.” 

“Do you think the snake will come after us ? ” 

“No.” 

“We ought to have brought a gun or a pistol 
along.” 

“Well, we didn’t. When we stop for a rest we 
can cut ourselves good heavy sticks. ’ ’ 

In a short while after this the woods were left 
behind and they came out on a side road which was 
but little traveled. 

“I know this road,” declared Link. “It leads 
to Jerry Flagg’s farm.” 


210 THE WINNING RUN 

“You mean the man who owns the bull that 
broke loose in Lakeport?” 

“Yes.” 

“We don’t want to run across that bull,” said 
Harry, decidedly. “I’ve had enough of that 
beast.” 

It was not long after this that they passed 
Jerry Flagg’s house. The farmer was in his door- 
yard and stared at them in alarm. 

“What’s the matter o’ ye, boys?” he called out. 

“Nothing, Mr. Flagg,” answered Link. 

“What be ye a-runnin’ for, then?” 

“We are playing hare and hounds.” 

“Oh!” 

“Where’s that bull?” questioned Harry. 

“Up in yonder field. Don’t ye go nigh him, or 
ye may have trouble.” 

“Don’t worry, we don’t intend to go near 
him.” 

The boys ran on, and the farmhouse was soon 
lost to sight around a bend. Then the road grew 
rocky and hard to travel and they had to slow 
down. 


HARE AND HOUNDS 211 

* ‘ Which field did he mean ? ' ' said Harry. ‘ 1 The 
one on the left or the one on the right V 9 

“He pointed to the left.” 

“That is what I thought, hut I wasn't sure. 
W T ell, I think we ought to take to the other field. 
Then we can get on the regular mountain road and 
go up to Lookout Point.” 

“Hurrah! that's the scheme!” cried Link. 
‘ ‘ Perhaps when we are at the Point we '11 be able 
to spot the other fellows.” 

They leaped a stone fence and cut across a small 
pasture. Then came an orchard in which the trees 
were old and almost past bearing. But they 
picked up several apples, to eat later on. 

“I've got to rest before a great while,” declared 
Link. “I'm beginning to get a little pain in the 
side.” 

“Let us rest when we get to the regular moun- 
tain road. Then we can — Oh, Link, the bull !” 

Harry was right. The bull was not over a hun- 
dred feet away, charging on them like a tornado. 

There was no time to think of what to do. Both 
boys were close to the limbs of a crooked apple 


212 THE WINNING RUN 

tree. Up they went into the tree in a jiffy. The 
bull struck a small branch, but his horns did not 
reach them. 

“Phew! what a close shave !” gasped Link, 
when he could speak. “Another second and he 
would have made mincemeat of both of ns !” 

“How are we going to get away from him?” 
was Harry’s question, but his friend could not 
answer it. 

Both looked down at the bull. The beast was 
pawing the ground savagely and swinging his tail 
from side to side. His eyes, full of anger, glared 
at them steadily. 

“We are in a pickle,” said Harry. “That bull 
may keep us here all day. ’ ’ 

“Or until the other fellows come up. We’ll have 
to shout a warning if we hear them. ’ ’ 

“I’ve got a plan. Give me one of those matches 
you are carrying. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ What are you going to do ? ” 

‘ ‘ See that dead branch over our heads ? I’m go- 
ing to break it off and set tire to it. They say al- 
most all animals dread a fire.” 


HARE AND HOUNDS 213 

Link soon had the branch down and then the 
match was struck and applied to a number of dried 
leaves. Soon the mass was blazing away gayly. 
Then Link held it down and flourished it at the 
bull. 

The effect was all that they had desired. The 
savage beast gave one sniff at the flames and then 
with a bellow and a roar he tore across the orchard 
and the pasture, in the direction of Farmer 
Flagg’s house. 

“He has gone!” cried Harry. “He didn’t like 
that for a cent ! ’ ’ 

“We can’t let the other fellows come in here,” 
declared Link. 1 ‘ Let us go back to the road, ’ ’ and 
this they did and started a new trail, making it so 
thick that the others could not help but follow it. 

Having lost some valuable time they started 
again at full speed. The road was very rocky, and 
once Harry pitched headlong, but picked himself 
up again instantly. 

“Hurt?” queried his chum. 

“No, but it didn’t do my wind any good,” was 
the reply. 


214 THE WINNING RUN 

At last they struck the regular mountain road 
and then their course was straight up the moun- 
tain. 

“We’ll get there about noon,” declared Link. 
“And that will just suit me, for it will be a dandy 
place for resting. ’ ’ 

Link was right, they found themselves close to 
the top of the mountain at just five minutes to the 
noon hour. They slowed up a bit, and just as 
Harry’s watch pointed to twelve they came out 
on the Point. 

“Hurrah! the first half of the chase is over!” 
cried Link. 

“And they haven’t caught us yet.” 

And then they sat down, to rest and to partake 
of the lunch they had brought along. 


CHAPTER XXL 


STOPPED BY TRAMPS. 

It was a beautiful sight from the top of Look- 
out Point and both boys enjoyed it very much. 
They secured a good place to rest, and did not 
attempt to eat anything until twenty minutes later. 

“What a spot for a summer hotel,’ ’ said Harry. 
“It’s a wonder some capitalists haven’t come up 
here.” 

“It’s too far from the railroads, Harry. But 
some day you’ll see a road in this vicinity, and 
then things will boom.” 

The boys had hoped to catch sight of the hounds, 
but try their best, they could not locate the others. 

“They are in the shade somewhere,” said 
Harry. “And I don’t blame them, for this sun is 
rather hot. ’ ’ 

They ate their lunch leisurely and washed it 

215 


216 


THE WINNING RUN 


down with water from a spring not far away. 
They also washed their faces and hands and this 
refreshed them not a little. 

“Five minutes more and it will be time to 
start/ ’ declared Harry, as he consulted his watch 
for the fifth time. “Let us get all of our things 
together. We don’t want to lose a minute.” 

“Not much! we start on the stroke of one!” 
cried Link, and did as suggested. 

They had already mapped out the return trip, 
and when the hands of Harry’s watch pointed to 
exactly one o ’clock they set off, first at a walk and 
then almost on a run — across the top of the moun- 
tain and down the southern slope. 

1 ‘ I would like to know how close they are, ’ ’ said 
Link, a little later. “Do you think they have 
gained the top of the mountain yet I ’ ’ 

“We’ll see when we come out at yonder open- 
ing.” 

The opening gained they looked back. Far up 
on the mountain they could make out a number of 
figures moving about. Soon the figures disap- 
peared. 


STOPPED BY TEAMPS 217 

“They were the hounds, no doubt of it,” 
declared Link. “Come, or they will catch us 
sure ! ’ 9 And they set off at a faster run than be- 
fore. 

The bottom of the mountain reached they trav- 
eled a fine highway for half a mile. Then they 
made a sharp turn to the left and went across a 
cornfield and into a patch of thin woods. They 
had just entered the woods when they came upon 
a campfire, around which were seated half a dozen 
dirty and disreputable looking tramps. 

“Hi! wot do youse fellers want?” demanded 
one of the tramps, leaping to his feet, while several 
of the others did the same. 

“None of your business!” cried Harry, and 
moved on, with Link beside him. 

‘ ‘ Stop dem, Cully ! ’ 9 said another tramp. 6 ‘ They 
mean to give us away ! ’ 1 

“Hi, youse fellers stop!” roared the tramp who 
had first spoken, and he started to come after our 
young friends. Seeing this, three of the other 
tramps did the same. 

“Don’t let them catch you!” whispered Harry, 


218 THE WINNING RUN 

thinking of the trouble he and Joe had had with 
tramps the fall previous. 

‘ 4 Not if I can help it!” answered Link. 

Side by side the boys ran on with the tramps 
after them. The latter did not relish the run, how- 
ever, and presently one picked up a heavy stick 
and hurled it at Harry. It struck the lad in the 
back and made him pitch headlong. 

As soon as Harry fell Link, not to desert his 
chum, stopped running and picked up a stone. 

“Leave us alone!” he cried. “Do you hear? 
Leave us alone ! ’ ’ 

“We ain’t goin’ ter hurt ye!” said the tramp 
who had hurled the stick. 

“You had no business to knock my friend 
down.” 

“Well, why didn’t yer stop when I told yer 
to?” 

By this time Harry was scrambling to his feet. 
He was not much injured. All of the tramps lost 
no time in surrounding the boys. 

“You hadn’t any right to attack me,” cried 
Harry, indignantly. 


STOPPED BY TRAMPS 219 


“You was going to tell on us, wasn’t yer?” 
sneered another of the tramps. 

i ‘ I don ’t know what you are talking about. ’ ’ 

“Don’t yer believe him, Gassy,” broke in still 
another of the disreputable men. “They act in- 
nocent-like, but you can bet they are mighty 
sharp.” 

“Come on back to the fire an’ talk it over,” 
said the tramp who had caused Harry to fall. 

“I don’t want to go back.” 

i ‘ N either do I, ” came from Link. 1 ‘ If you don ’t 
let us go we’ll make trouble for you.” 

“An’ yer wants to go so yer kin tell on us, don’t 
yer?” came from the fellow called Gassy. 

“I don’t know what you mean?” 

“Ah, go on wid yer! You’re from dat farm- 
house over dare an’ I knows it,” growled the 
tramp. “Yer wants to go back an’ say we got 
der chickens. But yer ain’t goin’ back so easy, 
see?” 

“Do you mean to say you are going to keep us 
here?” asked Harry. 

“Dat’s wot — fer de present. When we gits 


220 THE WINNING RUN 

ready ter move on den youse can go too — de ndder 
way, see!” 

The boys now realized at what the tramps were 
driving. They had stolen some chickens and they 
imagined the lads knew of this and wanted to 
bring somebody to the scene who could have them 
locked up. They wanted to hold the boys until 
they, the tramps, were ready to clear out for parts 
unknown. 

4 4 Don’t youse make any fuss an’ youse won’t git 
hurted,” said one of the gang. “If youse do make 
a fuss ” He ended by a shake of his fist. 

“Let us go back to the campfire,” declared 
Harry suddenly, and he gave Link a wink. “We’ll 
give these rascals all they want,” he added, in a 
whisper. 

Link at once understood, and they walked back 
to the fire slowly. 

“Wot’s in dat bag?” questioned Gassy. “Let 
me see it.” 

He snatched one of the bags of paper from Link 
and gazed into it. 

“Wot is it?” asked another of the gang. 


STOPPED BY TRAMPS 221 

‘ 4 Ain’t nuttin in it but paper !” cried the other 
tramp, in disgust. 4 4 Say, wot does dis mean any- 
how!’ J 

Before any more could be said there was a cry 
from the road and half a dozen boys appeared, 
headed by Paul Shale and Fred. Then more boys 
came up, for the hounds numbered fully twenty. 

‘ ‘ Stay right where you are, ’ ’ cried Harry to the 
tramps. i ‘ The one who tries to run away will get 
hurt.” 

“Say, look at de crowd!” gasped one of the 
tramps in alarm. “Dis is de time we got caught 
sure ! ’ ’ 

“Hullo!” came from Paul. “Give it up, did 
you!” 

“No, the tramps stopped us!” called out Link. 
“Surround them, fellows, and don’t let one of 
them get away. They are nothing but chicken 
thieves ! ’ ’ 

By this time all of the hounds had come up. 
Some carried sticks and the others took up stones 
and whatever they could find handy. The tramps 
were surrounded, and when Gassy tried to break 


222 THE WINNING RUN 

away he was promptly hurled back and given a 
crack on the head by Joe. 

4 4 1 know your kind ! ’ ’ cried Joe. 44 I Ve met ’em 
before. Stay where you are ! ’ ’ And he flourished 
his stick in a threatening manner. 

“Dis is a]l a mistake, gents !” whined one of the 
tramps. “ We didn ’t mean no harm to yer friends. 
We was only foolin’.” 

4 4 Tell that to the bullfrogs!” came from Harry. 
“They forced us to stay here. Look at the chick- 
ens and the chicken bones. They are assuredly 
thieves. ’ ’ 

“I know the farmer who lives on the next 
farm,” said one of the boys. “If you say so, I’ll 
run over to his house and see if he has lost any 
chickens. ’ ’ 

4 4 Go ahead, and be quick about it,” replied Joe. 

The boy made oft and another boy went with 
him. Fortunately the farmer was met near his 
barn, in company with two of his sons. 

4 4 Lost chickens?” he queried. 4 4 Jest guess I 
have, Bob. Lost three last night an’ four the night 
before. What do you know about ’em?” And 


STOPPED BY TRAMPS 223 

when the boys had told their story the farmer lost 
no time in arming himself with a shotgun. His 
sons got good clubs, and then the whole party 
made its way to the tramps’ camp. 

When the rascals saw Farmer Loftus and his 
sturdy sons they wanted to run more than ever. 
But the presence of the shotgun and the clubs de- 
tained them and they submitted without a murmur. 

“I’da good mind to fill ye all full o’ shot/’ said 
the farmer, indignantly. “Yes, those are my 
chickens, every one on ’em. I’m going to have the 
hull crowd locked up.” 

“I’ll help you,” said Harry. 

“So will I,” added Joe. 

“Let us all go along,” came from Fred. “The 
game is over. ’ ’ 

So it was decided, and surrounded by the boys 
and the farmer and his sons, the tramps were 
marched off to the village of Compton, a mile and 
a half away. Here they were locked up, and later 
on sent to prison for their misdeeds. 

“I’m glad ye collared them tramps,” said the 
farmer, after the excitement was over. “They 


224 THE WINNING RUN 

have been a-botherin’ me for a long time.” And 
then he invited the whole crowd to his house, to 
partake of doughnuts, pie, and milk, and he also 
gave each some apples on parting. 

“Not such a bad game of hare and hounds after 
all, ’ ’ said Harry, on the way home. 

“You ’re right , 9 9 answered Link. ‘ i But it didn ’t 
wind up exactly as we expected.” 


CHAPTER XXII. 


A GAME AND A PLOT. 

The second game with the Excelsiors, for the 
championship of Lakeport, was now close at hand, 
and for several days the boys of the town talked 
of nothing else. As before, opinions were about 
evenly divided as to which club would win. 

In place of Sidney Yates, Si Voup had obtained 
a player of more than ordinary excellence, a boy 
named Kyle Fenton, who had lately moved to 
Lakeport. Kyle was a fine batter and a splendid 
runner and Voup counted on him to help the score 
a great deal. 

The game brought forth a crowd fully equal to 
that which had witnessed the first contest. As 
previously agreed, it was played on the Lakeports’ 
grounds and our young friends did all they could 
to make the spot attractive. They had erected a 

225 


226 


THE WINNING RUN 


flagpole and from this Old Glory flapped bravely 
to the breeze, and the grand stand was likewise 
decorated with flags. 

The umpire on this occasion was an old player 
named Cameron. Although Joe and his fellow 
members did not know it, Cameron was a personal 
friend to Mr. Voup and bent on favoring Si and 
his club all he could. This was a handicap which 
cost the Lakeports dearly. 

The first two innings of the game were quickly 
over, with the score 1 to 0, in favor of the Excel' 
siors. The third inning brought a “ goose egg ” 
for each club and the next inning did likewise. 

“This is certainly a close game,” said more 
than one. 

“ Looks now as if the Lakeports were going to 
be whitewashed.” 

“ Well, the game is young yet.” 

As sometimes happens, things “ broke loose ” in 
the fifth and sixth innings and the latter left the 
score, Excelsiors 6, Lakeports 4. In the sixth 
inning Paul Shale scored a home run and Joe a 
three-base hit, both of which performances 


A GAME AND A PLOT 


227 


brought forth a wild storm of applause. In this 
inning the Excelsiors were given two runs by such 
a close decision that Joe at once entered a protest 
and was backed up by Link, Fred and some others. 

“I don’t want to listen !” growled the umpire. 

“I do not consider those runs fair,” said Joe. 
“One man cut third base and the other did not 
touch the plate. ’ ’ 

“It was all right,” returned Cameron, stub- 
bornly. 

“If we have any more such work I shall either 
call for another 'umpire or throw up the game,” 
said Joe sharply. The decision was so unpopular 
that the umpire was roundly hissed, while a few 
yelled to ‘ 4 Throw him out ! ’ 9 

In the seventh inning Kyle Fenton made a home 
run and this was all the scoring that was done up 
to the beginning of the ninth. The score board 
now read : Excelsiors 7, Lakeports 4. 

“This looks bad,” said Fred, as the club went to 
the bat, “;we have got to make three runs to tie the 
score.” 

The first boy to the bat went out on a foul. The 


228 THE WINNING RUN 

second, however, made a safe hit to first, and this 
was followed by a ‘ ‘ two-bagger ’ ’ which brought 
in one run. Then came another streak of luck, and 
when the first half of the inning ended the score 
was tied. 

“Now to shut them out,” said more than one 
member of the Lakeports. 

“I shall certainly do my best,” returned Joe. 

He pitched with extreme care, but Cameron was 
still favoring the other nine and called several 
pitches balls when they should have been strikes. 

“That was a strike!” cried Joe finally. 

‘ ‘ It was a ball — too high, ’ ’ growled the umpire. 

‘ 1 A strike ! A strike ! 9 9 yelled the crowd. 

i 1 Put the umpire off the field ! ’ 9 

“He has been favoring the Excelsiors right 
along!” 

There was a sudden rush, and fearful of attack 
Cameron began to sneak from the field. But Joe 
waved the crowd of angry boys back. 

“Don’t touch him,” he said loudly. “We can 
handle this case.” 

“Well, stand up for your rights,” came from a 


A GAME AND A PLOT 229 

man in the crowd. 4 4 Make them put in a new um- 
pire. ’ ’ 

Si Voup wanted to defend Cameron, but he 
saw that it would be useless to attempt to do 
so. Nearly everybody was calling for his re- 
moval. 

4 4 I’ll give it up!” called out Cameron. 4 4 Get 
another umpire. I’m sick of it!” And he ran 
rather than walked from the field. 

Another umpire was quickly chosen — a fellow 
known to be strictly fair. Then the game went on 
and soon two players were out. But a runner had 
got to third and the next boy to the bat was Kyle 
Fenton. Kyle watched his chances and getting a 
ball about right rapped it smartly to centerfield. 
This brought in the runner from third; and the 
game went to the Excelsiors by a score of 8 to 7. 

As soon as the last run came in the Excelsiors 
and their friends went wild with excitement. But 
the general public took the result coldly, for many 
felt that the game had not been fairly umpired by 
Cameron. 

s The score should really be, Lakeports 7, Ex- 


230 THE WINNING EUN 

celsiors 6,” said Mr. Monroe Corsen. ‘ 4 The um- 
piring was simply outrageous. ’ ’ 

“Wait till we play the third of the series,” an- 
swered Joe. “I’ll warrant that we’ll have a fair 
and square umpire; somebody we know we can 
trust.” 

( course the Excelsiors insisted upon it that 
the game had been fairly played. The only ‘ 4 kick- 
er ’ ’ was Kyle Fenton, the new member, who short- 
ly afterwards sent in his resignation. 

“That crowd makes me sick,” he declared to 
Harry. “When I play ball I want to do it on the 
level. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ They have to thank you for two runs made, ’ * 
replied Harry. 

“Humph! if I had known the sort of fellows 
they are I should never have joined them.” 

Kyle wanted to join the Lakeports and was fin- 
ally put on the list of substitutes. As a substitute 
he played half a dozen games, and helped the club 
along a great deal. 

“But I can’t let you play when we have that 
final game with the Excelsiors,” said Joe. “If I 


A GAME AND A PLOT 231 

did and we happen to win, they would throw it up 
to us that we had stolen one of their players. ’ 9 

“All right, I understand your position/ ’ came 
from Kyle. “Just the same, I should like to play 
against them and give them a good drubbing. ’ ’ 

The summer was now moving along swiftly. 
Each of the boys had more or less work to do, and 
one week Joe and Harry had to help at the store, 
their father being sick. During that time Fred 
took charge of the club and played a game at a 
place called Ravenwood, winning by the remark- 
able score of 22 to 11. 

“I see you literally doubled up on the Raven- 
woods/ J said Joe, when he heard the news. “Kind 
of a two-for-one arrangement. I’m glad to hear 
it.” 

“Those Ravenwood players were all good at 
the game,” said Fred. “But the team work 
was miserable — hardly one player supported an- 
other. ’ ’ 

“That proves what I have often said, Fred. 
It’s the team work that counts. I think Si Youp 
has some good players, but just when you think 


232 THE WINNING RUN 

they are going to get together and do something 
big they go to pieces.’ ’ 

4 4 Si is bragging that he will surely win that third 
game,” came from Link, who chanced to be pres- 
ent. 

“Maybe he’ll want the umpire to win it for 
him,” put in Matt. 4 4 We don’t want to play 
against ten men again. ’ ’ 

There was a good deal of wrangling over the 
question of an umpire. Voup wanted one man and 
Joe wanted another. At last the matter was left 
to several well-known gentlemen and they pro- 
cured a man from the city named Cabot, who had 
often umpired at college games. Cabot was the 
soul of honor and knew every rule and every trick 
of the game by heart. 

During the summer Si Voup and several of his 
cohorts had grown remarkably sporty. They at- 
tended a number of horse races and frequently 
made bets on the results. Whenever he could get 
away from the mill Sidney Yates went with the 
crowd. 

At one of these race meetings Voup ran across 


A GAME AND A PLOT 233 

Dan Marcy. For a long time Marcy had kept 
away from Lakeport, fearful that he might be ar- 
rested for the stealing of the Sprite. To those 
whom he met he indignantly denied that he had 
had anything to do with the taking of the sloop. 

“I’ll go down to Lakeport and show ’em some 
day that I am honest and that they can’t blacken 
my character in this manner, ’ ’ he growled. 

He had seen Joe, Fred and Bart on the day that 
the boys discovered the sloop hidden in the creek, 
and he felt certain that the three boys were re- 
sponsible for the report circulated about him. It 
may be added here that he was guilty, but he in- 
tended to do his best to squirm out of it. 

“Betting on the races, eh!” said Si Voup to 
Marcy when they met. 

“Oh, a little. I just won ten dollars.” 

“You are in luck. I just dropped five.” 

“Let me give you a tip,” went on Dan Marcy. 
He knew Si well and knew exactly how to handle 
the youth. The “tip” was accepted, and by luck 
Si won two dollars on it. Tbis made the pair more 
friendly than ever and quite a conversation en- 


234 THE WINNING RUN 

sued, regarding affairs at Lakeport, and the do- 
ings of the two baseball clubs. 

“You could win a lot of money on that next 
baseball game if you wanted to,” said Dan Marcy. 
“How!” 

“By betting on your club and then winning. 
Now don’t think I said that for a joke. I mean, 
make it a dead sure thing that you will win. ’ ’ 

“Yes, but how can we make it a dead sure 
thing?” questioned Si, with interest. 

‘ ‘ Oh, there are several ways to do that. ’ ’ 

“I’d like to know just one way.” 

“I’d let you into the secret if I felt sure I could 
trust you,” went on Dan Marcy, in a lower tone. 

Si Voup stared at him for a moment. He under- 
stood what sort of a character the former bully of 
Lakeport was, and felt that the secret must be of 
a shady nature. Yet he was anxious to win, and 
the prospect of making money by it appealed to 
him strongly. 

“You can trust me, Dan. I never blab things 
I hear.” 

“Over to Springfield the Rocket Club once won 


A GAME AND A PLOT 235 

a game by doctoring the drinking water the other 
club used. The stuff in the water made the play- 
ers dizzy so they couldn’t catch the ball for a 
cent. ’ ’ 

“What did they put into the water ?” 

“I don’t know. But I guess a druggist could 
tell you.” 

“I shouldn’t care to try it. In the first place 
it would be hard to get at the water they use and 
in the second place a fellow might run the risk of 
poisoning one of them,” went on Si, who was a 
coward at heart. 

“Well, there’s another plan, a good deal bet- 
ter,” went on Dan Marcy. “If you mean busi- 
ness, I’ll go into it with you.” 

4 ‘ Then let me hear the plan, ’ ’ answered Si. “I 
certainly want to win that game, if not in one way 
then in another.” 

Half an hour later Dan Marcy had unfolded his 
plot in all of its details. It pleased Si Voup and he 
agreed to take it under consideration and let the 
former bully of Lakeport know what he would do 
about it in a few days. 


CHAPTER XXIII. 


THE KIDNAPPING OF JOE AND FEED. 

As the days went by Joe kept his club practicing 
constantly. He also pitched a great deal, so that 
his arm might be in perfect condition when the 
game with their rivals should come off. He had 
a new drop curve which he trusted would prove 
effective in deceiving the Excelsior batters. 

Si Youp had sent several written communica- 
tions to the Lakeports. One was that the game 
should take place on a certain Saturday, begin- 
ning at exactly three o ’clock, and that there should 
be no postponement unless it rained heavily. 

“I don’t see why he sent that,” said Fred. “We 
understood it that way all along.” 

“Oh, he wants to appear officious!” grumbled 
Frank. “Tell him we’ll be there on the minute, 


THE KIDNAPPING 


237 


and we’ll play in any kind of weather he wants,” 
and this was done. 

A day or two later Link came into the clubroom 
and announced that Voup was making some heavy 
bets on the Excelsiors. 

“I don’t know where he is getting the money,” 
said he, 4 4 but he has got it and he doesn’t seem to 
be afraid to risk it, either.” 

4 4 Well, I shan’t bet,” answered Joe. 44 I don’t 
believe in it.” 

That Si Voup was betting was true. Some of 
the money was his own and some he borrowed 
from his friends. Several cautioned him about 
what he was doing, but he only smiled quietly and 
went on as before. Then several of the other club 
members began to bet also, until, all told, the 
crowd had quite a sum at stake. 

4 4 They must think they are going to have a walk- 
over,” said Fred. 4 4 What can it mean, Harry?” 

“I’m sure I don’t know.” 

4 4 Perhaps he has taken in some professional 
players on the sly, ’ ’ came from Matt. 

44 We’ll write to him for his list of players,” said 


238 


THE WINNING RUN 


Joe, and this was done. The list came the next 
day, showing that but one change had been made, 
in consequence of Kyle Fenton’s resignation. 
Then Si demanded the list of Lakeport players 
and this was likewise forwarded. 

‘ 4 This is going to be the hottest game ever 
played in this vicinity,” said Harry. “The Ex- 
celsiors are out for blood.” 

“Well, we’ll give them as hard a rub as we 
can,” answered Joe. 

On Friday, the day before the game was to come 
off, Fred told Joe that he had an errand to do up 
the lake shore, at a place called Hollow Cove. 

“I’d like first-rate to have you come along,” he 
added. 

“All right; I’ll see if I can get off,” returned 
Joe. “ When are you coming back f ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Not until this evening, ’ ’ answered Fred. 

Permission to go was readily obtained, and the 
chums set off about ten o’clock in the morning. 
They were to obtain their dinners at a farmhouse 
on the way. 

“We might have gone on our bicycles,” said 


THE KIDNAPPING 239 

Fred, as they walked along. “But mine is out of 
repair. ’ ’ 

“And I need a new front tire,” came from Joe. 
‘ ‘ Oh, I ’ d just as soon walk, ’ ’ he added. “ I Ve got 
tired of wheeling.” 

“Everything is baseball nowadays,” laughed 
Fred. “By the way, have you notiped how Si 
Voup and some of those other fellows keep watch- 
ing us all the time ! ’ 9 

“Yes, I have noticed that, Fred. They seem 
to be afraid we’ll play some sort of a trick on 
them. ’ 9 

“Perhaps they are up to some trick them- 
selves. 9 9 

“Well, I am going to keep my eyes wide open 
the minute I get on the ball field. I am sure we 
can trust that new umpire and as for the rest, why 
we have got to look out for ourselves, that’s all.” 

“Right you are.” 

“I don’t know much about that new player 
Voup has in Kyle’s place, but to me he doesn’t 
seem any great shakes.” 

“He may be playing foxy.” 


240 


THE WINNING RUN 


“That’s true, but when I saw him practicing he 
appeared to be doing his best. ’ ’ 

So the talk ran on as the two boys journeyed 
along. It was a fairly clear day with just a few 
clouds floating across the sky. 

Coming to a large apple orchard they halted 
long enough to get a number of apples. At the 
orchard the road took a sharp turn in the direc- 
tion of the lake. Just as they made this turn they 
beheld several persons running across the opposite 
end of the orchard. 

“Hullo!” cried Joe. “What are those fellows 
up to!” 

“I give it up,” answered Fred. “Maybe they 
were stealing apples and thought we were after 
them. ’ ’ 

“They were certainly in a tremendous hurry.” 

They looked into the orchard, but could see noth- 
ing further of the strangers. Then they moved on 
until they came to a spot where the road ran close 
to the lake shore. It was rather wild and lonely, 
no farmhouse being within half a mile. 

The two boys were suspecting no attack, and 


THE KIDNAPPING 


241 


when they were suddenly seized from behind they 
were taken completely by surprise. Each was 
thrown forward in the grass beside the road, and 
somebody came down on them with such force that 
the wind of each was knocked completely out of 
him. 

“The ropes, quick !” said a low, rough voice, 
and before they could do a thing their hands were 
bound tightly behind them. 

“Wha — what does this mean?” gasped Fred, 
trying to squirm from under the party who held 
him down. 

‘ 4 Shut up ! ” came the command. ‘ ‘ If you don ’t, 
y ou ’ll get a crack over the head ! ’ ’ 

The voice was rough and unnatural, as if the 
speaker was trying to conceal his identity. 

“You ’ll pay for this ! ’ ’ came from J oe. He was 
wondering if the assailants belonged to the gang 
of tramps that had been rounded up during the 
game of hare and hounds. 

At last the boys were allowed to stand up, and 
much to their astonishment they found themselves 
confronted by a party of three men or boys, which 


242 


THE WINNING RUN 


they could not tell. Each of the three had a big, 
black cloth over his head, tied with a string around 
his neck and with two holes in front, so that 
the wearer could see. All were armed with 
clubs. 

“ Is this a trick, or what?” demanded Joe, after 
a pause. 

‘ 4 Shut up!” came in reply, and the speaker 
brandished his club in such a savage fashion that 
Joe felt compelled to step back. 

Against their will the two prisoners were march- 
ed along the road to where a path led still further 
up the lake shore. They were forced to walk along 
this path until they reached a perfect wilderness 
bordering the lake. Then one of the masked fel- 
lows went off, leaving the other two to remain on 
guard. 

“What do you make of this?” asked Fred, in a 
low tone. 

“I don’t know what to make of it,” answered 
Joe, in a whisper. “I hardly think they are 
tramps . 9 9 

“I think I have heard their voices before.” 


THE KIDNAPPING 


243 


‘ 4 Will you keep still V 9 roared one of the cap- 
tors, and he hit each a light blow with his club. 

4 ‘ What are you going to do with us V ’ asked Joe, 
as bravely as he could. 

This question was not answered, and for half an 
hour the two boys were compelled to stand where 
they were, without saying a word to each other. 
At the end of that time a low whistle came from up 
the lake, which one of the masked fellows imme- 
diately answered. 

“Now move on!” he commanded, and the whole 
party pushed through the brushwood to the 
water ? s edge. Here a sloop was in waiting, with 
the other masked person in command. 

“Get on board, and be quick about it,” was the 
next order received. And when the two lads hesi- 
tated they were pushed in such a fashion that each 
came near going into the lake. Seeing there was 
no help for it, and that they would be roundly 
abused if they attempted to thwart the plans of 
their captors, they boarded the sloop. The main- 
sail was at once hoisted, and the sloop stood up the 
iako. 


244 THE WINNING RUN 

Tlie fellow who had brought the sloop in evi- 
dently knew how to handle such a craft and soon 
the boat was making the best possible use of the 
wind. The course was directly towards Pine Isl- 
and, and Joe and Fred rightfully guessed that 
they were bound for that location. 

As soon as the craft got within a reasonable dis- 
tance of the island those with masks became ex- 
tremely cautious, and they did not attempt to make 
a landing until they were certain nobody was near. 
Then the sloop was run into a cove, and the pris- 
oners were forced to go ashore without delay. 

“Now march !” was the next order issued to 
them. 

“Where to?” questioned Joe. 

“Straight ahead.” 

Again it was useless to resist, and they marched 
on. Each felt like fighting, but with his hands 
bound tightly behind him could do nothing. 

Around to one side of the hill in the middle of 
the island was a short but rather deep gully, which 
during the winter had been completely filled with 
snow. To this gully one of the masked fellows led 



“ Now, march ! ” 








THE KIDNAPPING 


245 


the way, the others urging Fred and Joe along 
with their clubs and with switches they had cut. 

Half way into the gully was a somewhat circular 
opening, having a large overhanging rock at the 
top. Here, beside the big rock, were a number of 
long and tough tree roots and some bushes. 

“Tie them to the tree roots,” said the leader of 
the crowd, and despite their protests Joe and Fred 
were made close prisoners without delay. Then 
the three masked fellows withdrew out of hearing 
for a consultation among themselves. 


CHAPTER XXIV. 


ON PINE ISLAND AGAIN. 

“Joe, what do you think this means ?” asked 
Fred, as soon as the three masked persons were 
out of hearing. 

“It’s a riddle to me, Fred. One thing is certain, 
they mean to keep us prisoners.’ ’ 

“It doesn’t look as if they did it in order to rob 
us, ’ ’ went on the stout youth. 

“I’ve been studying the thing over and I rather 
think the big fellow of the crowd is Dan Marcy.” 

“I thought his voice sounded something like 
Marcy ’s myself. What of the others ! ’ ’ 

“I’ve been thinking one might be Si Voup. But 
he disguises his voice pretty well — if it is Voup.” 

4 4 J ulius Caesar ! ’ ’ cried Fred. 4 4 1 wonder if such 
a thing could be possible? What a plan to trip us 
up!” 


246 


ON PINE ISLAND AGAIN 247 


“What are you talking about ?” 

‘ 1 If one of that crowd is Si V oup it is more than 
likely they kidnapped us so that we wouldn’t be 
able to play that game of ball to-morrow. ’ ’ 

At this statement the captain of the Lakeports 
grew more interested than ever. 

‘ ‘ I wonder if they really would resort to such a 
trick,” he mused. “It hardly seems possible. 
There isn’t enough in it.” 

“I don’t know about that. Remember, Si and 
his friends have been betting pretty heavily on 
the result. ’ ’ 

“That is true, and come to think of it he was 
very particular to have it understood that the 
game must come off exactly at the appointed 
time. ’ ’ 

“It’s a contemptible trick!” sniffed Fred. 
‘ 6 When they come back I am going to give them a 
piece of my mind.” 

“No, don’t do that, for it may only get us into 
worse trouble. Act as if you thought they were 
tramps. That will throw them more off their 
guard than ever. ’ ’ 


248 


THE WINNING RUN 


“If it’s one of Si Voup’s tricks he must have 
hired Dan Marcy to help him. ’ ’ 

“I guess Marcy was only too willing to help — to 
get square for what we have done in the past 
against him. Another thing, Marcy may have 
money on the game, too. I’ve heard that he often 
bets at race tracks and other places.” 

By this time the three masked fellows were com- 
ing back and Joe and Fred changed the subject. 

“I suppose you brought us here to rob us,” said 
Joe, boldly. “Well, you won’t get much out of 
me, for I haven ’t much with me. ’ ’ 

“I’ve got forty cents and a broken watch with 
me, ’ ’ declared Fred. 

“We ain’t going to rob you, so you needn’t git 
scared, ’ ’ said the big fellow of the party. 

“I suppose you brought us here for our health,” 
said Fred, sarcastically. “Very kind of you, I 
must say.” 

“If you talk like that, I’ll switch you!” came 
from one of the others. 

None of the masked fellows would say more. 
They busied themselves with making the bonds 


ON PINE ISLAND AGAIN 249 

which tied the boys to the tree roots more 
secure. 

“Now we are going off for a little while/ ’ said 
the big fellow. 

“Going to leave us here alone ?” queried Joe. 

“For awhile, yes.” 

“It isn’t fair. Supposing some wild animal 
comes this way?” 

“We won’t be far otf, and no animal is coming 
to hurt you, so you needn’t get scared.” 

With this remark, the masked fellows withdrew 
again, and Joe and Fred heard them leave the 
gully altogether. 

“It was Marcy as sure as fate!” declared Joe 
when they were alone. 

“Yes, and I am pretty sure one of the others 
was Si Voup. But the third fellow stumps me.” 

“Perhaps it is the new player Si got in Kyle 
Fenton’s place — the chap named Ike Boardman.” 

“Come to think of it, the voice did sound like 
Boardman ’s.” 

The time passed slowly, and as noon drew near 
both of the boys began to feel hungry. They tried 


250 THE WINNING EUN 

to loosen their bonds, but the cords only cut deeper 
into their flesh. 

“ Perhaps we are to be starved out,” said 
Fred. 

It was not until two o’clock that the tallest of 
the masked fellows came back, carrying a tin pail 
and a small square basket. In the basket he had 
some sandwiches, crackers and cheese, and in the 
pail some drinking water. 

“ Can’t give you any course dinner,” he said, 
roughly. 4 ‘But I reckon it’s about as good as you 
deserve. ’ ’ 

Putting down his pail and basket, he untied one 
hand of each boy, so that he might help himself. 
The meal was a scant one, but everything tasted 
good and they ate with a relish. 

“How long do you expect us to remain standing 
up ? ” asked Fred, who was growing tired. 

“I’ll ’tend to that, don’t worry. Here, if you 
want some water now is your chance for a drink. 
You can each have a cupful.” 

Both were thirsty and each took the cupful of 
water readily. 


ON PINE ISLAND AGAIN 251 

“Let me have some more, please ?” pleaded 
Fred. 

“Not now. It’s too much bother to bring the 
stuff such a distance. You can have another cup- 
ful at supper time, ’ 9 was the short answer. 

As it was useless to argue, the two prisoners did 
not attempt to do so. They waited to see what 
would be the next movement of their masked cap- 
tor. They saw him withdraw to a distance, and 
presently begin to smoke a pipe through a small 
hole in the head covering he still wore. 

“Say, I’m getting sleepy,” declared Fred, quar- 
ter of an hour later. 

“Well, I’m sleepy myself,” answered Joe. He 
gave a long yawn. ‘ ‘ It seems to he coming on me 
all at once. ’ ’ 

“That’s the way with me.” Fred also yawned. 
“Oh, dear, this is tierce! Wonder what makes 
it?” 

In ten minutes more both of the hoys found it 
impossible to keep their eyes open. They stretched 
themselves and shook their heads, but all to no 


purpose., 


252 


THE WINNING BUN 


4 4 Fred, I believe we have been drugged ! 9 9 mur- 
mured Joe at last. 

4 4 Drugged?” 

4 4 Yes. There was something in the eating or in 
that drinking water meant to put us to sleep. ’ 9 

4 4 The ras — rascals ! 9 9 Fred yawned again. 4 4 1 

never — never — thought that any — anybody 99 

And then his eyes closed and he sank into a stupor. 
A moment later Joe went to sleep likewise, breath- 
ing heavily and with his head hanging on his 
breast. 

4 4 Thought that would do the work,” said 
the masked fellow to himself. 4 4 Now it will be 
dead easy to keep them here until to-morrow 
night . 9 9 

He approached both boys and examined each, to 
make certain that he was not shamming. Then he 
cut their bonds and allowed them to slip down on 
the ground. This done he hurried away, to return 
half an hour later with several blankets. 

4 4 I’ll have to watch ’em until morning, I 
reckon, ’ ’ the masked fellow told himself. 4 4 Then, 
if they are still asleep, they can look after them- 


ON PINE ISLAND AGAIN 253 

selves.’ ’ Thus musing, lie placed them on one 
blanket and covered them with the other. 

When Joe awoke it was with a dull feeling in 
his head which was far from pleasant. He had 
been dreaming that he was far underground and 
that all sorts of things were pressing upon him 
and that he could not throw them off. His mouth 
was parched and his eyeballs ached as they had 
never ached before. 

4 1 Oh, dear ! ’ ’ he murmured. 1 ‘ Oh, dear ! ’ 9 And 
then he tried to sit up, only to fall back again. 
i 6 Harry ! 9 9 He fancied he might be at home in bed 
with his brother beside him. 

There was no answer to his call, and some min- 
utes later he sat up again. This time he opened 
his eyes long enough to stare around him. He was 
on the ground, with a blanket partly over and 
partly under him. The place was new to 
him, showing that he had been moved while he 
slept. 

4 ‘ Where in the world am IV 9 was the next ques- 
tion he asked himself. 4 4 Where am I, and how did 
I get here?” 


254 


THE WINNING RUN 


It was a good half hour before he could collect 
his scattered senses, and then he remembered how 
he had gone to sleep in the gully. He was now in 
the midst of some brushwood and a clump of tall 
pines. His ankles were bound together and his 
hands were crossed in front of him and also se- 
cured. 

“Fred!” he called out. “Fred! Where are 
you?” 

There was no answer, and now with an effort he 
struggled to his feet. But he was still too dizzy to 
stand and he had to hold on to the bushes for sup- 
port. 

“Fred must be somewheres around,” he rea- 
soned. “Unless they carried him off and left me 
here all alone. Oh, my head ! ’ ’ And then he sat 
down again. 

But fortunately the weakness and dizziness did 
not last, and inside of half an hour his brain was 
as clear as ever. He gazed thoughtfully at the rope 
which bound his hands together in front of him. 
Then he began to chew on the rope with his teeth 
and finally got it loose. To liberate his ankles was 


ON PINE ISLAND AGAIN 255 


his next move, and then he cut himself a heavy 
stick with his jackknife. 

“Now let those chaps come near me again and 
I’ll give them something they won’t relish,” he 
told himself. 

For some time he did not know which way to 
turn. He noticed that the sun was fairly high in 
the heavens and he wondered what time it could 
be. His watch had stopped. 

“I’d like to know if it is Friday afternoon or 
Saturday morning, ’ ’ he muttered. ‘ ‘ What a situa- 
tion to be in ! How am I to get back to Lakeport ? 
I’ll never be able to get back in time to play that 
game ! ’ ’ And the latter thought made him fairly 
groan. 


CHAPTER XXV. 


TRYING TO GET HOME. 

Not far from where he had been resting Joe 
found a small watercourse, where he obtained a 
much-needed drink. By following the watercourse 
for a distance of half a dozen rods he came in 
sight of the lake, at a point near the southern ex- 
tremity of Pine Island. 

“Well, I’ve located myself,’ ’ he told himself, 
“and that is something. I wonder if Fred can be 
anywhere around?” 

Knowing where he was, he was now able to de- 
fine the position of the sun and rightfully reasoned 
that it was about nine o ’clock in the morning. 

“That proves that I slept all night,” he said, 
half aloud. “Wonder what the folks at home think 
of my absence? Mother must be dreadfully wor- 
ried.” 


256 


TRYING TO GET HOME 25? 

Joe had not forgotten his old-time whistle, which 
had been used so many times when out hunting. 
Now he whistled several times, as loud as he 
could. 

At first no answer came back, but presently, 
from up the western shore of the island, a faint 
whistle came in return. 

“It must be Fred,” he cried, joyously, and start- 
ed in the direction as rapidly as his rather stiff 
limbs would permit. Then he whistled again and 
now the answering signal came back quite plainly. 

4 4 Fred, where are you V ’ he called out. 

1 1 Here I am, ’ ’ was the reply, and in a few min- 
utes more he came face to face with his chum. 
Fred was bound hands and feet, and although he 
had tried to liberate himself he had found the task 
hopeless. 

“When did you get around, Joel” 

“Not a great while ago.” 

“Weren’t you tied up?” 

“Yes, but I managed to loosen myself. Wait till 
I cut those ropes.” And getting out his knife Joe 
set his chum free immediately. 


258 


THE WINNING RUN 

4 'Say, but I feel rank/' came from the stout 
youth. "They drugged us for fair, didn’t they?” 

"They certainly did, Fred. I wonder what has 
become of them?” 

"I don’t know. When I woke up I was all alone 
and I’ve been alone ever since.” 

"Let me cut you a stick.” Joe did so. "Now 
then, if they attack us again there is going to be 
fun, eh?” 

"Right you are. I’d take great pleasure in lay- 
ing out the fellow who put us to sleep. What do 
you make the time to be ? ” 

"About nine o’clock.” 

' ' Nine o ’clock ? Why, the sun is shining ! ’ ’ 

"I mean nine o’clock Saturday morning.” 

‘ ' Great mackerel s ! Joe, you ’re j oking ? ’ ’ 

"No, I am not.” 

"Do you mean to tell me that I’ve been asleep 
from yesterday afternoon to this morning, eight 
o’clock?” 

"That’s about the size of it. I guess that fellow 
gave us all we could stand. If he had given us 
more maybe we shouldn’t have woke up at all.” 


TRYING TO GET HOME 259 

At this reply Fred gave a shiver. “ Don’t talk 
like that. It gives me icicles on the backbone. Now 
we are free, what are we to do ? ’ ’ 

4 4 Get home, just as fast as we can.” 

‘‘That’s easily said. We haven’t any boat.” 

“Well, we have got to get to the mainshore 
somehow, Fred. Remember, onr folks must be 
dreadfully worried about us, and then that base- 
ball game ” 

“That’s it ! We must get back in time for that 
game by all means! I wouldn’t miss it for a 
farm. ’ ’ 

“If some sailboat chanced to come past the 
island we might hail those on board.” 

‘ ‘ Do you know of any place where we would be 
likely to pick up a rowboat, or an old canoe ? ’ ’ 

“No, but I know where we can pick up a 
few logs,” added Joe, suddenly. “We might 
build a raft and ferry ourselves over to the main- 
land.” 

‘ ‘ Then let us do that. ’ ’ 

Both were hungry, but the most they could find 
to eat were a few huckleberries. Had they had 


260 


THE WINNING RUN 


time they would have gone fishing for food, but 
just now every moment seemed precious. 

Joe led the way along the shore, and it was not 
long before they came in sight of half a dozen logs, 
which the waves and wind had washed up during 
the Spring freshet. 

“ We ought to be able to build a raft with these,’ ’ 
said Fred. * ‘ The trouble is, we haven ’t any nails . ’ 1 

“Run back and get those ropes you had around 
you, Fred. I’ll cut some good, strong vines and 
branches,” answered Joe. 

They worked over the raft the best part of half 
an hour, and even then the craft did not suit them. 
But they had done their best and were glad to note 
that when shoved into the lake the raft floated 
quite evenly. Then they cut two thick branches 
for sweeps. 

“Now for a life on the ocean wave!” cried Joe. 
“All aboard for London and Paris !” 

6 1 Don ’t you get funny on that raft ! ’ ’ came warn- 
ingly from the stout youth. ‘ ‘ The first thing you 
know you’ll upset us both.” 

They had taken off their shoes and stockings 


TRYING TO GET HOME 261 

and tied them over their shoulders. With trousers 
rolled up, they shoved off from the island, and the 
uncertain voyage to the mainland was begun. 

‘ i This is a regular Robinson Crusoe way of get- 
ting there,’ ’ was Fred’s comment, as they used the 
sweeps with caution. 

“I don’t care, if only we do get there, Fred. 
They meant to keep us from playing that 
game ; we must do all we can to thwart their little 
trick. ’ ’ 

“Well, we are doing it. But this tree branch 
isn’t an oar or a paddle and this raft isn’t a 
naphtha launch.” 

“I’d like to know what has become of the fel- 
lows who took us over to the island.” 

“Oh, they are back to Lakeport, most likely — 
that is, if Dan Marcy dares to show himself there. 
I’ll wager Si Youp thinks he has a dead sure thing 
of the game.” 

“No doubt of that. And he will certainly have it 
easier than if we were there. Harry will have to 
reorganize the whole club. ’ ’ 

They were about one-quarter of the distance to 


262 THE WINNING RUN 

the mainland when the raft began to wobble and 
threaten to go to pieces. 

“We ought to have bound the logs tighter to- 
gether,” grumbled Fred. 

“I don’t believe we need so many,” answered 
Joe. “Supposing we let some of them go? Then 
we can bind what remain so much tighter to- 
gether. ’ ’ 

One log*was already loose and they let it go, and 
then undid another on the opposite side of the 
raft. While they were using the ropes to bind 
what were left Fred uttered an exclamation of 
dismay : 

4 ‘ My sweep ! 9 9 

“What of it?” 

“There it goes !” 

The sweep was only a few yards away, but it 
drifted further and further and they could not get 
it, try their best. The raft now appeared to be 
coming apart all over. 

“It looks to me as if we’d have to swim for it,” 
observed* Joe. “Shall we turn back to the island? 
It ’s closer than the mainshore. ’ ’ 


% 


TRYING TO GET HOME 263 


44 I don’t know,” answered the stout youth 
doubtfully. “I don’t want to get a cramp ” 

4 4 Not much, Fred ! We ’ll go back. ’ ’ 

They were just turning when they heard a shout 
from up the lake, and looking in that direction saw 
Joel Bunnell approaching in a cat-boat. The old 
hunter had been out fishing and had quite a mess 
of the finny tribe in the bottom of his craft. 

4 4 Hullo, there, wot ye doin’ on a raft?” he sang 
out. 

4 4 Come and take us on board!” ejaculated Joe. 
44 Hurry up!” 

Hearing this, the old hunter lost no time in turn- 
ing in their direction, and in a few minutes more 
they were safe on the cat-boat. 

44 I’m awfully glad that you came along,” said 
Joe. 4 4 Take us to the mainland just as quickly as 
you can, will you?” 

4 4 To be sure, if ye want it, Joe. But what’s 
up?” 

4 4 We have been kidnapped,” was the answer, 
and while the cat-boat moved for the mainshore 
both Joe and Fred told their story. 


264 THE WJNNING RUN 

“It must have been Marcy and Si Voup,” de- 
clared Joel Runnell. “I saw them coming from 
the island early this morning. Just as I was start- 
ing out to fish. The third fellow was a stranger to 
me. He had light, yellowish hair. ’ 9 

4 4 It must have been Ike Boardman ! ’ 9 cried Fred. 
“His hair is just that unusual color.” 

“Wot are ye a-goin’ to do about it when ye git 
back?” continued the old hunter. 

4 4 1 don ’t know yet , 9 9 said Joe. “ The main thing 
is to get back in time for that baseball game.” 

4 4 Wlien does the game come off ? ” 

4 4 Three o ’clock . 9 9 

4 4 Humph! you’ll have a right smart hustle to 
git to Lakeport by three o’clock,” said Runnell, 
after consulting his watch. 4 4 Might do it if ye 
had an extry fast nag, or one of them steam 
launches. ’ ’ 

“I was thinking I might hire a horse over to 
Dotter’s farm,” came from Fred. 

4 4 Don’t think ye can.” 

4 4 Why not?” 

“I saw Dotter drivin’ up to Brookside early this 


TRYING TO GET HOME 265 


morning. He had two horses hitched to his wagon, 
an’ I don’t think he has any more’n that.” 

At this both Joe and Fred gave a groan. 

“ I don’t see what we are going to do,” said the 
stout youth. “We can walk to Perry’s, but it’s a 
good mile and a half, and even after we get there 
he may not let us have a horse. He’s a peculiar 
man to deal with, so my father says.” 

“Well, we have got to do something,” said Joe, 
desperately. '“We must get to Lakeport, hook or 
crook, by three o’clock l” 


CHAPTER XXVI. 


PREPARATIONS FOR THE GREAT GAME. 

When Joe did not come home at the hour ex- 
pected nobody was greatly surprised, his folks 
thinking that he and Fred had been detained. But 
as it grew later and later Mrs. Westmore began 
to worry. 

4 4 What can be keeping Joe V 9 she said to Harry. 
“Did he say anything to you about coming home 
so late?” 

“No, mother, he said he would be home about 
supper time, or directly afterwards.” 

Another half hour went by, and then Mr. Rush 
dropped in on the Westmore family. 

“Thought I’d step over to see if Fred was 
here, ’ ’ he explained. 4 4 1 told him to come straight 
home.” 

4 4 He isn’t here, Mr. Rush, and neither is Joe.” 

266 


PREPARATIONS 


267 


The Westmores were talking it over with their 
visitor when the doorbell rang and a farmer named 
Hiram Salter presented himself. 

“Good evening Mrs. Westmore,” said the far- 
mer. “I found the store shut up, so I thought I’d 
come to the house. I’ve got a letter for you.” 

As he spoke he handed out a slip of yellow store 
paper folded in the form of a letter. On the slip 
was scrawled: 

“We have been detained and won’t be home 
until nearly noon to-morrow. It’s all right, so 
don’t worry. J.” 

“P. S. — Send Mr. R. word.” 

“That’s a queer note,” was Mr. Rush’s com- 
ment. He turned to the farmer. “Where did you 
get it, Mr. Salter?” 

“Got it from a feller who stopped my wagon 
when I was a-drivin’ into town. He asked me to 
leave it here an’ gave me ten cents. It was so dark 
I couldn’t make out who he was.” 

“Oh, I guess it is all right,” came from Mr. 


268 THE WINNING RUN 

Westmore. “They are going to stop over with 
some of their boy friends.” 

The farmer went off, and presently the West- 
mores retired. But Harry was not satisfied, 
and it was a long time before he could go to 
sleep. 

“Joe said he would be on hand the first thing 
to-morrow morning to put the club through its 
final practice,” he reasoned. “He ought to be 
home to-night getting a sound sleep. He can’t rest 
quite as well in a strange bed. ’ ’ 

By nine o’clock on Saturday morning Harry 
had finished up his chores and he also did the work 
generally assigned to his brother. Every moment 
he looked for Joe, and when the clock struck his 
face took on a gloomy look. 

“Hullo, there!” came from the fence, and the 
next instant Link leaped the pickets and walked 
across the garden. “All ready for the great 
game?” 

“Yes, I am ready, but I don’t know about Joe. 
Have you seen Fred this morning?” 

“No, he isn’t home.” 


PEEP ABATIONS 


269 


“He and J oe went off yesterday. They were to 
come back in the evening, but sent word that they 
were going to stay over until nearly noon to-day. 
I don’t like that much.” 

“Humph! neither do I. It will break up our 
practicing. ’ ’ 

“Well, we’ve got to do the best we can.” 

By ten o’clock all of the members of the club 
but Fred and Joe were at the clubroom, and a 
little later they marched to their grounds. In the 
absence of Joe, Link, who was a fairly good 
pitcher, was put in the box, and the shortstop, 
Matt, was placed behind the bat. 

Harry felt that he must do his best with the 
team, and he coached them all he could, and ex- 
plained to them certain new signs he and his 
brother had been talking over. As each minute 
went by all of the players looked for J oe and Fred, 
and when the saw-mill whistle blew twelve o’clock 
and the practicing came to an end each looked at 
the others in a doubtful manner. 

“I may be mistaken, but I think something has 
gone wrong somewhere,” was Bart’s comment. 


270 THE WINNING RUN 

“I don’t think Joe and Fred would stay away like 
this of their own accord. ’ ’ 

“Neither do I,” answered Matt. “Something 
serious has happened to delay them. ’ ’ 

“My father said there was a fire last night up in 
the direction of Hollow Cove. He said it looked 
to him as if it was a barn. Maybe Joe and Fred 
went to the fire, or maybe it was at the place where 
they were stopping and they stayed to help. ’ ’ 

The boys scattered for dinner, agreeing to meet 
at the clubroom at one o ’clock or a little after. On 
the way home Harry ran into Si Voup, who 
grinned at him. 

“Well, I suppose you are about ready to take 
your defeat this afternoon,” said the captain of 
the Excelsiors. 

“We’ll take what comes,” returned Harry. 
“Perhaps your club will be the one to lose.” 

‘ 1 Rats ! I ’ll bet you five dollars we win. ’ ’ 

“I don’t bet, Voup.” 

“You’re afraid you’ll lose,” sneered the captain 
of the rival club. 

“No, I am not. But I don’t bet, and that is all 


PREPARATIONS 271 

there is to it,” and with this remark Harry walked 
off. 

“ Won’t he be worried when the time comes to 
open the game,” mattered Si Vonp to himself. 

Vonp and Boardman had returned to Lakeport 
in high feather over the success of their plot 
against Joe and Fred. Marcy was also in town, 
but keeping shady. Each of the three was putting 
up his money on the Excelsiors, confident that, 
with J oe and Fred out of the game, the Lakeports 
could not possibly win. 

Both the Rush family and the Westmore family 
were much disturbed over the prolonged absence 
of the two youths, and after dinner Mr. Rush said 
he would drive up to Hollow Cove to see what had 
become of them. 

“If you find them bring them back just as quick- 
ly as you can, Mr. Rush,” said Harry. “We need 
them on the baseball team. ’ ’ 

“I suppose you do, Harry. I will do my best.” 

“If they don’t show up I don’t know what we 
are going to do.” 

“Haven’t you enough players?” 


272 


THE WINNING RUN 


“Oh, yes, but Fred is our best catcher and 
Joe our best pitcher. With them out of the 
game we won’t stand near as good a chance of 
winning. ’ ’ 

Promptly on time the members of the Lakeport 
Club assembled at the room. The first question 
asked by each was concerning Joe and Fred. 

4 4 This is the worst blow yet ! ’ ’ cried Bart. 4 4 If 
they don’t show up what in the world are we to 
do?” 

4 4 All we can do is to put Link in as pitcher and 
Matt as catcher, and then rearrange the rest of the 
players,” answered Harry. 

4 4 I’ll do my best,” said Link. 4 4 But I must say 
I thought Joe would be here to do the twirling for 
us.” 

4 4 So will I do my best,” added Matt. 4 4 But 
you all know Fred is the best catcher in Lake- 
port.” 

4 4 If I knowed where to look fer ’em, I’d go after 
’em red-hot,” came from Teddy Dugan. 

4 4 Maybe we’d all go after them,” said Walter. 

It was not long after this that a number of 


PREPARATIONS 273 

friends came up to the clubroom. When it was 
announced that Joe and Fred were missing many 
looked glum. 

“And to think that I just bet Boardman two dol- 
lars that the Lakeports would win,” said one of 
the visitors. 

“Boardman and Voup are betting all around,” 
said another visitor. “I never knew they had so 
much money. And somebody said Dan Marcy was 
around and that he was betting on the Excelsiors, 
too.” 

“Do they know that Joe and Fred are miss- 
ing?” asked Walter. 

“I don’t know, but they will know it as soon as 
we appear on the ball field. ’ ’ 

The various players consulted their watches 
every few minutes and it was plainly to be seen 
that some, of them were nervous. All had depended 
upon Joe and Fred to pitch and catch. 

‘ 4 Let us go back of the shop and practice, ’ ’ said 
Link to Matt, and they went down and Link did 

his best to get his arm into proper shape for the 
great game. 


274 


THE WINNING RUN 


4 4 This, in one way, is a chance for us, ’ ’ observed 
Matt. 

“True, Matt, but I’d rather see Joe on deck — 
not but what I am willing enough to pitch. I 
shouldn’t care if it was some other game than the 
one for the championship of our town.” 

“That’s the way I look at it, too.” 

At last it got so late that Harry called the club 
together. All were in their uniforms, and Harry 
directed that the suits belonging to Fred and Joe 
be taken to the little dressing room under the 
grand stand at the grounds. 

“They may show up at the last minute,” said 
he, “and if they do they won’t have time to come 
up here and dress. ’ ’ 

The game for the championship of Lakeport had 
been widely advertised and the ball grounds were 
already beginning to fill up when the club arrived 
there. The grand stand was packed. 

4 4 Gracious, what a crowd ! ’ ’ murmured Bart, as 
he looked around. “I never saw so many people 
in Lakeport in my life !” 

4 4 And to think Joe and Fred are not here,” 


PREPARATIONS 275 

groaned Prank. 1 6 It ’s enough to make one sick at 
heart. ’ ’ 

The absence of the regular pitcher and catcher 
of the Lakeports was quickly noticed by scores of 
spectators and various were the comments in con- 
sequence. 

“Where is Joe Westmore? I thought he was 
going to pitch/ ’ 

“And Fred Rush was going to catch. I don’t 
see either of them . 9 9 

“Link Darrow is practicing with the ball, and 
Matt Roscoe is catching for him . 9 9 

“Well, Link is pretty good, but not as good as 
Joe.” 

“You he right there, and they want the best bat- 
tery they’ve got to-day, or they’ll lose.” 

Swiftly the minutes flew by and still no Joe and 
no Fred. Harry held his watch in his hand almost 
constantly. 

“It’s no use!” he groaned at last. “We have 
got to start up the game without them !” 


CHAPTER XXVII. 


A RACE AGAINST TIME. 

The moment the cat-boat bumped against the 
shore Joe and Fred leaped out. 

“Can I do anything more for ye?” questioned 
Joel Runnell. 

4 4 1 don ’t know of anything, ’ ’ answered Joe. 44 If 
we can’t find any other way to get to Lakeport 
we ’ll have to walk it. ’ ’ 

» 

4 4 And that will take us until after dark, and the 
game will be over,” added Fred, with a groan. 
44 Joe, our enemies have got the best of us, after 
all.” 

4 4 Perhaps, but I am going to expose them for 
this, and don’t you forget it ! ” said Joe, bitterly. 

4 4 Yes, but I’d rather be there and help to beat 
the Excelsiors.” 


4 4 Oh, so would I.” 


276 


RACE AGAINST TIME 277 

The lake shore road to Lakeport was located 
some distance away, and, bidding Joel Runnell 
good-bye, they scrambled through the brushwood 
and over the rocks to get to it. 

“If we could only locate a horse ” began 

Joe, when he heard a merry shout from up the 
road, and looking in that direction saw four fel- 
lows on bicycles coming along at a swift gait. As 
they drew closer they recognized George Dixon 
and Roy Willetts, of the Brookside Baseball Club. 

“ Hi ! stop ! stop ! ’ ’ cried J oe, and Fred joined in 
quickly. * ‘ Stop, Dixon ! Stop, Willetts ! We want 
to speak to you!” 

“What’s up?” came from George Dixon, as he 
slowed up after passing them and turned back. 
“Why, if it isn’t Joe Westmore ! And Fred Rush, 
too ! I thought you were going to play ball this 
afternoon? We were going to Lakeport to see 
you.” 

“We were going to play,” answered Joe. “We 
were carried away to Pine Island against our will, 
and we want to get back to Lakeport just as soon 


as we can. 


278 


THE WINNING RUN 


“You’ll lend me a wheel, won’t you?” pleaded 
Fred of Roy Willetts. 

“And I’d like to have your bicycle,” said Joe to 
George Dixon. “I know it’s rather cheeky, but I 
can’t think of anything else to do.” 

“Carried to Pine Island against your will?” 
came from another rider, the four having sur- 
rounded Joe and Fred. “Do you mean you were 
kidnapped ? ’ ’ 

“Yes. Don’t you remember that old Dubber 
case? Well, this is like it.” 

“Humph!” came from George Dixon. “It’s a 
shame! Well, you can have my wheel, Joe, and 
welcome. I can ride on behind Cass. Can’t I, 
Frappy?” 

“Sure.” 

“And you can have my wheel,” said Roy Wil- 
letts to Fred. “ I ’ll ride behind A1 Lemming. ’ ’ 

“We shan’t forget your kindness,” cried Joe, as 
he mounted the bicycle. 

“That’s all right. I only hope you get to Lake- 
port in time. We are late. That front tire doesn’t 
hold the wind very well.” 


RACE AGAINST TIME 279 

By this time Fred was also mounted, and side 
by side he and Joe made off down the road which 
led to Lakeport. The other boys, with their pas- 
sengers, came on more slowly and were soon lost 
to sight behind a bend. 

4 4 This is what I call falling in with fortune !” 
cried Fred. 

“That’s true, Fred. But you must remember 
that we have a long and hard ride before us. We’ve 
got to go over Misson Hill.” 

But little more was said, for each of the boys 
wanted to save his breath. Each could ride well, 
which was in their favor. Along the road they 
spurted, avoiding the deepest of the ruts and the 
big stones. They often “took chances,” but felt 
that, under the circumstances, this was necessary. 

Inside of an hour they reached a farmhouse 
situated directly on the road. They knew the far- 
mer well and, dismounting, asked if they could 
have a bite to eat. 

1 4 We are in a great hurry, ’ ’ said Joe. “ But we 
must have something, as we haven’t had anything 
since yesterday.” 


280 


THE WINNING EUN 


The farmer’s wife gave them some bread and 
cold meat, and also some doughnuts and milk. She 
did not wish any pay, so they made her little girl 
happy by giving her a twenty-five cent piece. 

4 ‘Now for home !” cried Joe, as he swung up on 
the saddle once more. ‘ ‘ That lunch makes me feel 
as fresh as when we started. ’ 9 

“I’d like it better if my saddle was a little 
lower,” said Fred. “But I’m not going to bother 
with altering it now. ’ ’ 

Mile after mile was reeled off and still the two 
bicyclists kept at their tasks of diminishing the 
distance between themselves and home. Going up 
Misson Hill was hard work, especially for such a 
stout youth as Fred, and Joe had to slow up a 
trifle for his chum’s benefit. 

“This isn’t going to do us any good when it 
comes to playing ball, ’ ’ puffed Fred. 

“Oh, if we can only get there in time I’ll compel 
Si Voup to give us time in which to rest,” an- 
swered Joe. 

The road down the hill was rather rocky and in 
one spot there was a steep incline. 


RACE AGAINST TIME 281 


“Look out there, Joe!” cried Fred, but the next 
instant both were flying down the incline at top 
speed. 

All might have gone well had it not been for a 
washout near the bottom of the hill. This had left 
a deep gully directly across the roadway and when 
the boys struck this gully both went flying off their 
bicycles and into the bushes. The wheels were 
badly bent, and one of Fred’s tires came com- 
pletely off. 

“Hurt?” asked Joe, as he managed to pick him- 
self up. 

“ 1 — I don’t know,” gasped the stout youth. 
“Oh, what a tumble!” 

1 ‘ Look at the wheels ! ’ ’ 

“That settles the question of riding, Joe. 
We are certainly booked to walk the other four 
miles.” 

“Four miles, and it’s half-past two o’clock 
now ! ’ ’ 

“That’s true. But do you see any way out of 
it?” 

“No. And another thing: What are we to 


282 THE WINNING RUN 
do with the wheels'? We can’t leave them 
here. We’ve got to have them mended for their 
owners.” 

44 Maybe they’ll be along soon.” 

4 4 No, they must be miles behind us.” 

Both of the youths stood looking at the injured 
wheels in great perplexity. The bicycles weighed 
over twenty pounds apiece and they did not relish 
carrying such a load. 

4 4 Somebody is coming along the road in a car- 
riage,” said Joe, a moment later. 4 4 Perhaps he’ll 
help us in some way. ’ ’ 

The carriage was coming from the direction of 
Lakeport. Soon it was in sight and then Fred 
uttered a glad cry: 

4 4 My father!” 

4 4 Why, it certainly is ! ” ejaculated Joe. 44 Here 
is luck truly ! ’ ’ 

4 4 Hullo ! ’ ’ shouted Mr. Rush, as he came up in 
his buggy. 4 4 Where in the world have you two 
boys been?” 

4 4 It’s a long story, father,” answered his son. 
44 Just now we’d like to get back to Lakeport as 


RACE AGAINST TIME 283 

quickly as possible. Will you take us, and take the 
wheels, too!” 

i ‘ Certainly. It will be quite a load, but I reckon 
Dolly can manage it.” 

With the aid of a hitching strap, the bicycles 
were fastened to the back of the buggy, and then 
the boys hopped in beside Mr. Rush. The mare 
was turned around and touched up with the whip, 
and off they sped for home. 

“This beats bicycling,” said Joe. “It will rest 
us up for that game.” 

Mr. Rush wanted to know the particulars of the 
kidnapping and the boys told him all they knew. 

“Those rascals should really be locked up for 
this,” said the gentleman. “But the thing is to 
prove their identity. You can’t say that you saw 
any of them. ’ ’ 

“That’s true, father,” answered Fred. 

“I suppose Si Youp looks at it as a good joke, 
but I can’t see it in that light,” went on Mr. Rush. 

‘ ‘ Marcy must have done it just to make trouble 
for us, ’ ’ came from Joe. “ He is awfully sore over 
the way he was treated last winter.” 


284 


THE WINNING RUN 


“Has Mr. Shale ever been able to connect him 
with the stealing of the Sprite?” 

“No, that affair is still as much of a mystery 
as ever.” 

“I think it might pay to have Dan Marcy 
watched. ’ ’ 

Dolly was a fast mare, and touching her up occa- 
sionally with the whip made her keep at a good 
speed. On and on they went, until from a slight 
rise of ground they could see the church spires of 
Lakeport. 

“ What time is it now?” asked Joe. 

“Exactly twelve minutes of three,” answered 
Mr. Rush, after consulting his watch. 

i 1 And how far have we still to go ? ” 

“About a mile and a half, and then around to the 
baseball field. I suppose you want to go right 
over.” 

“Oh, yes.” 

“We haven’t any suits,” put in Fred. 

“Never mind, we can send for them.” 

The buggy continued to rattle on, and at last 
they dashed into a side street of Lakeport. Then 


RACE AGAINST TIME 285 

they took a turn and made for the ball grounds. 
Joe looked back at the town clock. 

‘ 4 Four minutes of three !” he cried, triumphant- 
ly. ‘ ‘ Won ’t our enemies be astonished to see us ! ’ ’ 
“And won’t our friends be glad!” added Fred. 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 


THE GREAT GAME BEGUN. 

Harry was just giving his players their final in- 
structions when a small boy came running toward 
them. 

* 4 You ’re wanted right away!” the boy whis- 
pered. ‘ ‘ Y our brother and Fred Rush want you ! ’ ’ 

1 ‘ What ! ’ ’ gasped Harry. ‘ 4 Where are they 1 ’ ’ 

“In the dressing-room under the grand stand.” 

“This is certainly a mystery!” came from Link, 
and he followed Harry to the dressing-room, and 
so did Matt. They found Joe and Harry getting 
into their uniforms with all possible speed. 

“What in the name of goodness ” began 

Harry, when Joe stopped him short. 

“Don’t say anything now, Harry. Si Voup is 
responsible for it. I’ll explain later. Are all the 
other fellows here?” 


286 


THE GREAT GAME BEGUN 287 


“Yes, but ” 

‘ 1 Si had us kidnapped. He doesn ’t know we are 
here. Fred and I want to surprise him. ’ 9 

“Oh! Well ” 

“Tell the other fellows to take their old posi- 
tions. After you are in position give a loud 
whistle and Fred and I will come out,” went on 
Joe. 

His brother and the others understood, and left 
the dressing-room as quickly as they had entered 
it. 

In the meantime Si Voup, Boardman and the 
others of the Excelsiors were talking earnestly 
among themselves. 

“We are going to have a walkover,” said Youp. 

‘ 1 A regular cinch , 9 9 declared Boardman. “ I ex- 
pect to win a lot of money on this match / 9 

Nearly all of the members of the Excelsiors 
were elated to think that Joe and Fred had failed 
to appear. But only three or four were in Voup’s 
secret, and all of these had bet heavily on the re- 
sult. 

The umpire was on hand and the toss-up gave 


288 THE WINNING RUN 

Lakeport the choice of innings. Without hesita- 
tion they sent the rival club to the bat. 

“ That’s queer,’ ’ murmured Si Voup to Board- 
man. “I should think they would keep off 
the diamond as long as possible, thinking 
that their old pitcher and catcher would ap- 
pear. ’ 9 

“ Maybe they are conceited enough to think that 
they can do as well with Link Darrow and Matt 
Roscoe.” 

4 4 Well, if that’s the case they will soon learn 
that they are mistaken.” 

Out on the field rushed the seven players of the 
Lakeport Club and took their respective positions. 
A short hurrah went up, but silence followed when 
it was noticed that the positions of pitcher and 
catcher were vacant. 

“They must be going to throw up the game,” 
thought Si Voup. 

There was an expectant pause and then' Harry 
gave a short, clear whistle. The door to the little 
dressing-room burst open and out ran Fred and 
Joe in their natty uniforms and took their re- 


THE GREAT GAME BEGUN 289 

spective positions behind the bat and in the pitch- 
er’s box. 

As soon as they appeared a yell went up which 
grew louder and louder. 

4 ‘ There they are ! ’ 9 

4 ‘They are going to pitch and catch, after all!” 

“Wonder why they kept out of sight so long?” 

When J oe and Fred ran out on the field, Si Voup 
and Boardman stared at them as if they were gaz- 
ing at ghosts. 

“It — it’s them!” gasped Boardman. 

For the moment Si Voup was too paralyzed to 
speak. He continued to stare at Fred until the 
latter walked over to him, adjusting his chest pro- 
tector as he did so. 

“Oh, you needn’t stare so, Si Voup,” he called 
out. “I am here, and so is Joe, and after this 
game is over we have an account to settle with you 
and Boardman and Dan Marcy ! ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ You — you ” stammered Voup. He did not 

know what to say. 

“Play!” called out the umpire, and Fred had to 
race back to his position. Si Voup continued to 


290 THE WINNING RUN 

stare at him and also at Joe, and then turned back 
to whisper to Boardman. 

“We’re caught !” he muttered, hoarsely. 

“They didn’t see us,” answered Boardman, who 
was of a cooler nature. “Don’t give yourself 
away. Make them prove everything.” And on 
this the two agreed. 

The buggy ride had given Joe and Fred a chance 
to rest, and each felt in perfect trim for the game. 
Both were on their mettle, and Joe determined to 
pitch ball as never before. 

The first batter up was a tall, brawny fellow, 
the best hitter the Excelsiors had. He came to the 
plate with a swinging gait, confident that he could 
rap out a two-base hit if nothing better. 

Joe measured the fellow with care and sent in a 
swift, low ball. 

4 4 Ball one ! ’ ’ cried the umpire. 

Again the ball came in, this time rather high. 

4 4 Ball two.” 

4 4 He is going to let the batter walk ! ’ ’ cried sev- 
eral. 4 4 He is afraid to give him a good ball. ’ ’ 

Again Joe stepped back and gave Fred a certain 


THE GREAT GAME BEGUN 291 


sign. The ball came on in a curve, directly over 
the plate. 

4 ‘ Strike one ! ’ 9 called the umpire. 

“ That's the way to do it, Joe,’ ’ called a friend. 

Again the ball was delivered. It looked fast but 
was slow, and the batter struck at it and missed it. 

“ Strike two!” 

At this the batsman scowled and gripped the 
ash afresh. Joe gave him no time to think of 
what he wanted to do. In came the sphere with 
all the speed at the young pitcher’s command. 

“ Three strikes — batter out!” 

A wild cheering came from the Lakeport sup- 
porters. 

“That’s the way to do it, Joe ! Strike out some 
more of ’em ! ’ ’ 

The second man to the bat resolved to be care- 
ful and consequently he had two strikes called 
upon him almost before he was aware. Then he 
knocked a foul which Fred captured with ease. 

The third player to come up was Boardman. He 
glared fiercely at Joe and then glared at Fred. 

“Oh, you can’t scare me, and you needn’t try,” 


292 THE WINNING RUN 

said Fred, with spirit, and this made some people 
in the grand stand laugh. 

The first ball to come in was high, but Board- 
man struck at it and missed it. Then he made a 
vicious sweep at the next ball and missed that like- 
wise. 

“Take your time, old man!” sang out Voup. 
‘ 1 Make him give you what you want. ’ ’ 

As a result Boardman allowed the next ball to 
pass him, although it was perfect in every way. 

f ‘ Three strikes — batter out ! ’ ’ came calmly from 
the umpire. 

“It was too high,” growled Boardman, but his 
voice was lost in the cheering and yelling of the 
Lakeport rooters. 

“Two of the best batters they have struck out 
in one inning!” came the cry. “The Excelsiors 
had better go home ! ’ ’ 

When Fred and Joe appeared on the players’ 
bench, a dozen or more wanted to know what had 
kept them away so long. They told their story in 
detail, and many were highly indignant at Voup, 
Boardman and Marcy. 


THE GEEAT GAME BEGUN 293 

“We ought to ride ’em on rails,” said one man. 
‘ ‘ They deserve it. ’ ’ 

i i Tar and feathers would be better, ’ 9 came from 
another. 

“Don’t do anything until the game is over,” 
said Joe. “We want to beat them, and do it in a 
strictly honorable way.” 

As of old, Walter Bannister was first at the bat, 
and after having two strikes called on him, he 
knocked a clean two-base hit to leftfield. This 
was a beautiful start, and Bart followed it up by 
a safe single which took Walter to third. Then 
came Fred with another single, and Walter came 
home, while Bart reached third. 

‘ 4 Hurrah ! Lakeport scores the first run ! ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Two on base and nobody out ! ’ ’ 

Fred was followed by Matt, who went out on a 
short fly to second. Then came Teddy Dugan, who 
was playing in Frank’s place, Frank having gone 
off to Boston, on a visit to a rich uncle. 

‘ 1 Whack it good, Teddy ! ’ ’ was the cry. ‘ ‘ Knock 
it over the fence ! ’ ’ 

“Th’ fince, is it!” ejaculated the Irish lad. 


294 THE WINNING RUN 

“Sure an* Pm goin’ to knock it out av town, so 1 
am!” 

The ball came in swiftly, for Si Voup was mad. 
It was just right for Teddy, and by good luck he 
met it fairly and squarely and sent it bounding 
swiftly into centerfield, just over the second base- 
man’s head. 

“Run! run! Everybody run!” was the mad 
yell, and everybody did run, Bart coming in like 
lightning, followed by Fred, while Teddy reached 
second by sliding and grabbing the bag in such a 
fashion that he slid completely around the base- 
man. 

“Two more runs!” 

“And a man on second and only one out !” 

“Who is betting on the Excelsiors now?” 

Harry was the next to the bat and got first on 
four balls. Then came Joe, who also reached first, 
while Harry went to second. There was a mix-up 
with the ball at second, and in the excitement 
Teddy Dugan left third base and slid in at the 
home plate. 

‘ 6 Another run ! Hurrah for Teddy Dugan ! 9 9 


THE GREAT GAME BEGUN 295 

Joe was followed by Link, who knocked a foul 
into the third baseman’s territory. Then came 
Paul with a fly to centerfield; and the exciting 
inning came to an end. Score, Excelsiors 0, Lake- 
ports 4. 

The cheering was deafening and lasted for sev- 
eral minutes. The supporters of the Excelsiors 
looked glum and hateful. 

“What’s the matter with you, Si?” asked one 
of Voup’s friends. “They are knocking you all 
around the field.” 

“Oh, wait till the next innings,” growled Voup. 

“Well, don’t wait too long. I’ve got money on 
your team, remember. ’ ’ 

As soon as they came off the diamond, Voup 
called Boardman to one side. 

“We mustn’t let them win!” said the captain 
of the Excelsiors, fiercely. “If they win I’ll be 
just about ruined ! ’ ’ 

“I’m in the same boat. But what are you going 
to do?” 

“I wish we could get at Joe Westmore or Fred 


Rush.” 


296 


THE WINNING RUN 


4 ‘There is only one way.” 

“How is that?” 

“When Westmore comes to the bat yon must 
deliver a swift ball and hit him in the side or the 
head. If yon hi do that, when I go to the bat I’ll 
step back and let Rnsh have it with the bat. Of 
course both of ns can claim the accidents were un- 
intentional. ’ ’ 

“All right, I’ll go yon!” cried Si Voup, with 
blazing eyes. “Anything to make them lose the 
game ! ’ ’ 


CHAPTER XXIX. 


THE WINNING RUN. 

In the next inning Joe managed to strike out 
two of the Excelsior players, and the third knocked 
a foul which the first baseman scooped in on the 
run. The Lakeports made another run. 

“Keep it up and give them the worst drubbing 
they ever had ! ’ ’ cried a young man of the crowd, 
who had learned how Joe and Fred had been 
treated. 

No runs were scored in the third inning, nor in 
the fourth. By this time the Excelsiors were fu- 
rious and almost went to pieces entirely, so that 
at the end of the sixth inning the score stood: 
Excelsiors, 0, Lakeports 7. 

“We are certainly going to have a walkover / 9 
said Fred to Joe. “It does my heart good to see 
it, too.” 


297 


298 


THE WINNING BUN 


“I’ve got something in my mind,” returned 
the captain of the Lakeports. ‘ ‘ They thought they 
could down our club if we were missing. I know 
Link and Matt would like to try their luck at bat- 
tery work. Why not let them f ’ ’ 

“ Just as you say, Joe. I think they deserve the 
chance, since they were so willing to serve in the 
first place.” 

J oe talked the matter over with the others, and 
all were willing to let Link pitch and Matt catch 
for at least one inning. 

This was scarcely decided upon when it was 
Joe’s turn at the bat. As he walked to the plate 
Si V oup glared at him fiercely. 

“I suppose he’d like to chew me up,” thought 
the young captain of the Lakeports. 

Voup made a certain sign to Boardman which 
meant that he was going to hit Joe. Then he 
stepped back, took aim, and threw the ball in with 
all his might. 

It came directly for Joe, and so swiftly that the 
batter scarcely had time to do any thinking. Had 
he tried to jump back it would have taken him full 


THE WINNING RUN 


299 


in the arm or side. But Joe did not jump back. 
Instead, he fell flat on the plate, and the sphere 
whizzed past him and also past the catcher. 

‘ 4 Run ! run ! ’ ’ yelled the crowd to a player who 
chanced to be on first, and the player ran as hard 
as he could and reached third base before the ball 
was again into play. 

“What are you trying to do, Voup?” was the 
cry. “Do you want to kill Joe Westmore?” 

“He wants to hurt the Lakeports’ pitcher !” 

“The — the ball slipped,” growled Voup, 
sourly. 

“If the ball slips again, this bat may slip and 
hit you in the head,” came from Joe. “I know 
your dirty tricks too well, Si Voup!” 

With the crowd against him, Si Voup did not 
dare to attempt the trick again. He tried to strike 
Joe out, but could not, and the captain of the Lake- 
ports got safely to first while the runner at third 
came home. But that was the end of the luck for 
that inning. 

When Link took his place in the pitcher’s box 
and Matt went behind the bat a little cheer went 


300 THE WINNING RUN 

up. Boardman saw lie would have no chance to 
injure Fred. 

“ Hurrah! the Lakeports know they have won 
the game ! ’ ’ 

6 ‘ They are going to give the Excelsiors a little 
run for their money !” 

“I think Joe and Fred deserve a little rest — 
they have done so well,” said Mr. Monroe Corsen, 
with a smile. 

“Oh, they have done splendidly!” said 
Laura Westmore, who sat near by. “I’m just 
as proud of them and of the others as I can 
be!” 

“Now, take your time and don’t get excited, 
Link,” whispered Joe. “Even if they do get a 
run or two, it won’t matter.” 

“I’ll do my best,” answered the new pitcher. 
“Of course, I don’t expect to hold them down as 
you did.” 

The first player to face Link was a good batter, 
yet all he managed to get was a one-base hit. The 
next batter went out on strikes, and the crowd 
cheered lustily. 


THE WINNING RUN 301 

“Good for Link Darrow! He knows how to 
pitch, too!” 

The next boy to the bat struck a short fly to left 
field and managed to get to first, while the other 
runner got to third. Then came a low ball between 
first and second bases. As will happen at times, 
it was missed by both the basemen, and before it 
could be secured the runner on third came home. 

1 i One run for Excelsiors ! ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Keep it up, fellows ! ’ ’ 

“Don’t mind that, Link,” said Fred. “You’re 
doing all right.” 

Link bent to his work with a will and put the 
next man out on strikes, and again the crowd 
cheered wildly. 

4 ‘ Good for little Link Darrow ! ’ ’ 

When the inning came to an end the score stood : 
Excelsiors 1, Lakeports 8. 

“Shall I pitch any more?” asked Link. 

“Certainly,” said Joe. “I don’t call one run 
much. ’ ’ 

The Excelsiors were doing a great amount of 
talking among themselves, and presently another 


302 THE WINNING RUN 

pitcher was put up in Si Voup’s place, while an- 
other catcher took Boardman ’s place. 

“Hullo, they are sick of Voup and Boardman !” 
cried Harry. ‘ 4 Well, I don ’t blame them. ’ ’ 

Strange as it may seem, everybody on the Lake- 
port Club but Harry had scored a run. Harry had 
gotten to first twice, and second base once, but 
nothing had been done to help him get home. 

The new pitcher for the Excelsiors meant busi- 
ness. He was fresh and had a good delivery, and 
he retired the Lakeports with nothing more that 
inning than one base hit. 

The ninth inning opened with the score still 
standing Excelsiors 1, Lakeports 8. By a com- 
bination of circumstances two runs were quickly 
scored, and then, by a fumble of the ball at second 
base, another run came in and two players re- 
mained at first and third. 

There was only one man out, and the spirits of 
the Excelsiors rose wonderfully. Their friends 
yelled themselves hoarse. 

“You’ve got ’em a-going! Keep at ’em!” 

“Knock out a few home runs!” 


THE WINNING RUN 


303 


Link called J oe up to him. 

“Do you want me to continue to pitch, Joel” 
“Yes. It was not your fault that the runs came 
in. I was partly responsible, as you know. They 
seem to have a new lot of steam on. ’ ’ 

Again came a base hit, and then a drive to short- 
stop which was just out of reach. Two more runs, 
and the Excelsiors fairly danced with joy. 

4 4 That’s the way to do it, fellows. You have six 
runs now! Go after the other three!” 

“Joe, you had better pitch,” pleaded Link. 
4 ‘ Perhaps you can strike them out. ’ 9 

“If you want me to, I’ll do what I can,” said 
Joe. 

The Excelsiors had changed several players in 
the middle of an inning, so they could not complain 
of the action of the Lakeports. As Joe went into 
the box, Fred took his old position behind the 
bat. 

4 4 Hurrah ! this winds it up for the Excelsiors ! ” 
4 4 Link Darrow is afraid to pitch!” sneered one 
of the rival players. 

“I was only put in to give Joe a rest,” an- 


304 THE WINNING EUN 

swered Link, calmly. He thought more of his club 
than he did of himself. 

The Excelsiors watched every chance, and when 
a ball was dropped by a Lakeport player at second, 
one of the runners slid home. Then another run 
came in, and the score was a tie. 

“Atie! Atie!” 

1 ‘ Keep at ’em ! You Ve got ’em on the run ! ’ ’ 

Two men were out. The best batter of the 
Excelsior club now faced Joe. In came the ball 
swiftly. 

“One strike!” 

Again was the ball delivered. 

“Two strikes!” 

With the ball in hand, Joe made a signal to 
Fred, for a slow drop. In it came, in a manner that 
was truly tantalizing to the batsman. He swung 
his bat savagely — and missed it. 

‘ ‘ Three strikes — batter out ! ’ ’ 

“Joe Westmore has struck him out!” 

“Wasn’t that pitching for you?” 

With the score 8 to 8, the Lakeports came to the 
bat at the ending of the ninth inning. They tried 


THE WINNING RUN 305 

their best to score, but in vain. One player got to 
second and that was all. 

“Nine innings and a tie!” 

‘ ‘ This is a great game ! ’ ’ 

“ Now for the winning run ! ’ 9 

So the comments ran on. Everybody was wildly 
excited and all in the grand stand were on their 
feet, cheering their favorites. 

The first to come to the bat in the tenth inning 
was Si Voup. With a face that was alternately 
flushed and pale, Joe faced his rival. He made up 
his mind he must strike out Voup. 

He signaled a low curve to Fred, and sent it in 
with great force. Around came the ash to meet it. 

‘ ‘ Strike one ! ’ ’ 

Next Joe signaled a high inshoot and sent in the 
ball without delay. Once more Voup was fooled 
and only fanned the empty air. 

1 ‘ Strike two ! ’ ’ 

‘ 4 Take your time, Si ! ? ’ called a friend. 

Again the ball came in. It was such a good one, 
Voup did not dare to let it go by. He struck — and 
missed once more. 


306 


THE WINNING RUN 


4 4 Three strikes — batter out ! ’ ’ 

4 4 Hang the luck!’’ roared Si Voup, and threw 
his bat on the ground with great violence. 

The next player went out on a foul to third. Then 
Joe steadied up once more and the third player 
went out on strikes as Youp had done. 

4 4 No runs this trip for the Excelsiors ! ’ ’ 

4 4 Now, Lakeports, see what you can do ! ’ ’ 

4 4 The winning run is what we want ! ’ ’ 

It was Harry’s turn to bat and he selected his 
ashen stick with care. 

4 4 Don ’t be in a hurry, ’ ’ cautioned Bart. 4 4 Make 
him give you the ball you want. ’ ’ 

4 4 1 will , 9 9 said Harry. 

When Harry stepped to the plate he felt a cu- 
rious sensation all over him. He seemed to be pos- 
sessed of but one desire in life — to hit the ball and 
drive it just as far as possible. 

Si Voup was again pitching — he had insisted 
upon going in the box, even against the wishes of 
many of his friends. He stepped back, made a 
signal to his catcher, and let the ball drive with 
all force. 


THE WINNING EUN 307 

It was the ball Harry wanted — he felt this the 
moment it left Voup’s hand. With one step for- 
ward, he swung his bat, and crack ! the hall went 
flying far down into centerfield, over the fielder’s 
head and toward a clump of bushes bordering a 
ditch. 

‘ 4 Whoop ! look at that ! ’ ’ 

“Run, Harry, run!” 

“You can get three bags on that with ease !” 

‘ ‘ Oh, what a dandy hit ! ” 

‘ ‘ Get the ball ! Throw up the ball ! ’ ’ yelled the 
Excelsior players. 1 ‘ Hurry up ! ” 

“ Go on to third, Harry ! ’ ’ cried Joe. “ Go ahead, 
you have plenty of time ! ’ ’ 

Harry was already at first. Now he tore down 
to second like wildfire. Then up he went to third 
and slid in to the bag. 

“Come home!” yelled Fred, and some others. 
1 ( Come home ! You have plenty of time ! ’ ’ 

Harry looked into the field. The fielder was 
just preparing to throw the ball up to the second 
baseman. Away he started for the home plate, 
with the whole crowd yelling like a lot of demons. 


308 THE WINNING RUN 

Boardman was at the plate waiting for the ball, 
and now he stepped to his left — directly in the run- 
ner ’s path. 

“Get out of the way, Boardman ” began 

Link, when Harry came in like a whirlwind, hurl- 
ing the catcher flat. Then the ball came in — but 
it was too late. 

‘ i The winning run ! Lakeport takes the game ! ’ ’ 




Harry came like a whirlwind 












































































CHAPTER XXX. 


AFTER THE GAME CONCLUSION. 

The excitement was intense, and in a twinkling 
Harry was surrounded and hoisted on the shoul- 
ders of his fellow-players. 

“Hurrah for Harry Westmore !” was the cry. 

“That run wasn’t fair!” growled Boardman. 
‘ 1 He had no right to knock me over. ’ ’ 

“It was your duty to keep out of the way,” said 
the umpire. 6 ‘ I saw what you did. It was a mean 
piece of business.” 

Nearly everybody who had witnessed the game 
agreed with the umpire. The Lakeports were con- 
gratulated on their victory, which made them the 
champions of the town. As soon as they could do 
so, the Excelsiors left the ground and hurried to 
their clubroom. 

The feeling among the rival players was very 
309 


310 THE WINNING RUN 

bitter. Nearly everybody blamed Voup and 
Boardman for the defeat. In return, the pitcher 
and the catcher blamed the others ; and the upshot 
of the matter was that the Excelsiors disbanded. 

As may be anticipated, Si was in trouble in more 
ways than one. He had borrowed money from 
Sidney Yates and from others, and this cash was 
all gone. Boardman was in the same fix, and the 
little they got out of the club receipts was only 
a drop in the bucket when it came to liquidating 
their debts. 

On the Monday evening following the game, the 
Lakeports celebrated their victory in a becoming 
style. The clubroom was illuminated, and they 
had a garden party for their friends on Mr. Har- 
row’s lawn, and the festivities were kept up until 
almost midnight. 

During the week Mr. Rush took steps to have 
Si Voup and Boardman punished for what they 
had done to Joe and Fred. On hearing of this, 
Si Voup ran away and went on a visit to an uncle 
who lived in Boston. Boardman was found at his 
home, and broke down utterly when confronted. 


CONCLUSION 


311 

“It wasn’t my fault,” he whined. “Si Voup 
put me up to it — Si and a young fellow named 
Dan Marcy.” 

“Marcy again!” mused Mr. Rush, and became 
more interested than ever. By coaxing and threat- 
ening he made Boardman tell his whole story, and 
then learned that Dan Marcy was stopping at a 
road-house to the east of the lake, at a place called 
Thompson’s Corners. 

“Did you ever hear that this Marcy took the 
sloop Sprite?” asked Mr. Rush. 

“He never said so out-and-out,” answered 
Boardman, “but I guess he did take the boat.” 

This was all Mr. Rush wanted to know, and he 
lost no time in calling on Mr. Shale and on Mr. 
Westmore. That afternoon the three men took a 
carriage and drove over to Thompson’s Comers 
and to the road-house the catcher of the Excelsiors 
had mentioned. 

As luck would have it, they found Dan Marcy 
on the porch of the house, half asleep in a chair. 
The fellow wanted to run away, but Mr. Shale 
collared him before he could do so. 


312 


THE WINNING RUN 


“Not so fast, Marcy,” said he, sternly. 

“Wot do yer want'!” growled the former bully 
of Lakeport. 

“We want you,” said Mr. Rush. “A fine job 
you have been putting up on my son and on Joe 
Westmore.” 

“Say, has them fellers been blabbin’ on me!” 
ejaculated Marcy, angrily. The loss of all his 
money on the ball game had put him in a bitter 
frame of mind. 

“I want you for stealing my sloop,’ ’ came from 
Mr. Shale. “You needn’t deny that you took the 
craft, for it will do you no good.” 

“I ain’t deny in’ nuthin,” came from the bully. 
“Goon. You’ve got me, now do your worst. You 
can’t git no money out o’ me, for I ain’t got none.” 

The landlord of the road-house had come out to 
listen to the talk. 

“W T ho is going to pay me?” he demanded. 
“This chap owes me three dollars and a half for 
board.” 

“I don’t know where you are going to get the 
money, Mr. Fells,” answered Mr. Westmore. 


CONCLUSION 313 

As it was an extra warm day Dan Marcy was in 
his shirt sleeves, having left his coat and vest in 
his room. 

i ‘ I’ll see what he has upstairs,” said Mr. Fells. 

“Hi! let my clothes alone!” ejaculated Dan 
Marcy, in alarm. ‘ ‘ Don ’t you touch a thing ! ’ ’ 

But the landlord would not listen, and presently 
came below with the coat and vest in his hands. 

“Four cents, two buttons, and a badge,” said he, 
with a contemptuous snort. “They won’t pay 
me.” 

He held up his find as he spoke. Mr. Westmore 
glanced at the badge. 

“Hullo! the badge that was stolen from my 
store the time my money was taken !” he cried. 

“Is that true?” questioned Mr. Shale. 

“Yes — I’d know that badge out of a thousand. 
See, it has my initials on it.” 

“Then it must have been Dan Marcy who took 
your money.” 

“I remember he was in Lakeport at or about 
that time,” said Mr. Rush. 

In vain Dan Marcy tried to deny the evidence of 


314 


THE WINNING RUN 

his guilt. Nobody would listen to him, and in the 
end he was made a close prisoner and driven off 
to the Lakeport lock-up. Here he tried to put the 
whole blame for carrying Joe and Fred off on Si 
Voup and Boardman, but nobody gave him any 
credit. 

‘‘He is a bad egg,” said more than one. “He 
should have been locked up long ago.” And in 
the end Dan Marcy was tried for his crimes and 
sent to prison for several years. Si Voup and 
Boardman escaped with severe reprimands and 
both promised to turn over a new leaf. 

The victory over the Excelsiors gave the Lake- 
ports an excellent reputation throughout the whole 
State, and they received challenges to play in 
many cities and towns. Harry took a really fine 
photograph of the club in uniform, and this was 
reproduced in several newspapers, much to the 
club members’ gratification. All told during that 
season they played twenty-eight games, of which 
they won nineteen. Link pitched at four of the 
games, all of which were won. 

“This has been the best summer in my life!” 


CONCLUSION 315 

declared Fred, when the season was at an end. “ I 
can tell you what, boys, there is no sport on earth 
like baseball.” 

“ Well, I like boating pretty well,” said another 
boy. “ I think it is about time we organized a 
boat club.” 

“ Hurrah ! let us do it ! ” was the cry ; and how 
the boys went to work, and what races they had, 
will be told in another volume, to be called, “ The 
Boat Club Boys of Lakeport; or, The Water 
Champions.” Boating is a clean, healthy sport, 
and my young readers can rest assured that the 
boys of Lakeport enjoyed it greatly. 


THH BND. 



Mr. Stratemeyer’s popularity will be increased by 44 Dave 
Porter.” — Times, Hartford, Conn . 

DAVE PORTER SERIES 

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 


VOLUME ONE 

DAVE PORTER AT OAK HALL 

Or the Schooldays of an American *B oy 

3 12 pages Illustrated Price $1.25 

NTEVER was there a brighter, more manly, thoroughly up-to-date boy 
^ than Dave Porter, and all boys who read about him, and girls too, 
for the matter of that, will be sure to love him from the start. How, as 
a green country boy, he went to Oak Hall, how he was hazed, and how 
he had to fight his way through is told with a naturalness that is true 
to life. 

The story is told with great fidelity to real life. — Eagle , Brooklyn, N. Y. 

VOLUME TWO 

DAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEAS 
Or The Strange Cruise of the Stormy Petrel 

286 pages Illustrated Price $1.25 

D AVE is the same, bright, wide-awake youth he was at school, and his 
adventures on shipboard and among the unexplored islands of the 
South Seas will render him dearer to the hearts of the boys than ever. Dave 
is trying to solve the mystery of his parentage, and several of his school 
chums are with him during his wanderings, some sharing his perils. 

VOLUME THREE 

DAVE PORTER'S RETURN TO SCHOOL 
Or Winning the Medal of Honor 

304 pages Illustrated Price $1.25 

I N this volume the scene is shifted back to Oak Hall, and once again 
Dave becomes the center of as interesting a group of schoolboys as it is 
possible to imagine. There is a strong plot, with plenty of fun, and not 
a few rivalries on the athletic field, and the whole volume has a swing 
and a dash that are irresistible. 

A good wholesome story, full of fun and go. — Christian Work, H. Y. 

Each story that comes from Edward Stratemeyer’s pen i? eagerly read.— Boston 
Herald, 


Both Sides of the Great Civil War 


DEFENDING HIS FLAG 

Or A *Boy in Blue and a Boy in Gray 

By Edward Stratemeyer 

431 pages Eight full-page illustrations, by Griswold Tyng 
Beautifully bound in colors and gold Price $1.50 

T his tale relates the adventures of two boys, or rather 
young men, during the first campaign of our great 
Civil War. One enlists in the infantry of the North, while 
the other throws in his fortunes with the cavalry of the 
South. Of the story Mr. Stratemeyer himself says : 

“ In writing this work I have had but one object in view, and that was 
to give a faithful picture of a part of the Civil War as seen from both sides 
of that never-to-be-forgotten conflict. During the war, and for years after- 
ward, grown folk and young people were treated to innumerable books on 
the subject, all written from either the Northern or the Southern point of 
view, thoroughly biased, and calculated to do more harm than good. . 

I think the time has come when the truth, and the whole truth at that, can 
be told, and when it will do positive good. Since the Spanish-American 
War, when some of the gallant Southern officers and men made such records 
for themselves under Old Glory, the old lines have been practically wiped 
out. The reconstructed South is as firm a part of our nation as was the 
old South during the first half of the last century, and it has a perfect right 
to honor the memories of those who, while wearing the gray and march- 
ing under the stars and bars, fought so gallantly for what they considered 
was right and true.” 

The mantle of Henty, as a writer of books of history and travel for boys, seems to 
have fallen on Mr. Stratemeyer. — Zion's Herald , Boston, 

Everybody knows that Edward Stratemeyer is the most widely read of all living 
American writers for boys.— Dispatch t Pittsburgh Pa. 


SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE SERIES 

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 


VOLUME ONE 


ON TO PEKIN 


Or Old Glory in China 


Cloth 330 pages Illustrated by A. B. Shute $1.25 

HE hero, Gilbert Pennington, goes from the Philippines with the 



JL Ninth Regiment to take part in the rescue of the beleaguered Brit- 
ish Embassy at Pekin by the international forces. Mr. Stratemeyer has 
risen to the occasion by giving, in addition to one of his very best stories, 
a store of information concerning China and the Chinese, conveyed in a 
natural and entertaining manner. 

The demands of boy readers are peculiar, and the author who can sat- 
isfy them, not once or twice, but uniformly, must possess rare ability in 
an extremely difficult field. Such an author is Edward Stratemeyer. — 
Sunday News , Newark , N. J. 


VOLUME TWO 


UNDER THE MIKADOS FLAG 

Or Young Soldiers of Fortune 

320 pages Cloth Illustrated by A. B. Shute Price $1.25 



DER the Mikado’s Flag” relates the adventures of two young 


Americans in Korea and Manchuria during the outbreak of the 


great war between Russia and Japan, one of the leading characters being 
Gilbert Pennington, the hero of “On to Pekin,” and the other, Ben 
Russell, who with his brothers, Larry and Walter, is so well known to the 
thousands of readers of the famous “Old Glory Series.” It closes with 
the great Battle of Liao-Yang, and is as valuable for the information 
conyeyed as it is interesting as a story. 

Mr. Stratemeyer is undoubtedly improving very greatly on the average 
book for boys. — Star , St. Louis , Mo. 

He knows how to attract and hold boy readers. — Evening Standard, 
^New Bedford \ Mass. 


SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE SERIES 

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 


V 


VOLUME THREE 


AT THE FALL OF TORT ARTHUR 

Or A Young American in the Japanese Navy 

300 pages Illustrated by A. B. Shute Price $1.25 


HIS story relates, primarily, the adventures of Larry Russell, 



A who is on board his old ship, the Columbia, which is carry- 
ing a cargo for the Japanese government. The young sailor joins 
the Japanese navy, and under Admiral Togo assists at the bombard- 
ment of Port Arthur. Life in the Japanese navy is described in 
detail, and also life in Port Arthur during the siege and bombard- 
ment, which has few parallels in history. 

“At the Fall of Port Arthur” is very well told. — Chronicle , San Francisco. 

A rattling good story for boys. — Republican , Denver , Col, 


VOLUME FOUR 


UNDER TOGO FOR JAPAN 

Or Three Young Americans on Land and Sea 

310 pages Illustrated by A. B. Shute 12mo Cloth $1.25 


'T'HE “Soldiers of Fortune Series” is a continuation of the famous 
“ Old Glory Series,” and enjoys equal popularity. The prin- 
cipal characters are Ben and Larry Russell, Gilbert Pennington, 
and the fine old gunner, Luke Striker, all of whom are well known 
to thousands of readers. The climax of the book naturally deals 
with the Battle of the Sea of Japan and Admiral Togo’s wonderful 
victory, in which Larry and Luke Striker bear an honorable part. 
The fortunes of Ben and Gilbert Pennington on land also furnish 
much that is of interest. 

The youth who finds a good story of war adventure on the sea to his liking will 
gain his heart's desire in “ Under Togo for Japan.” — Philadelphia Press, 

Young readers will find the volume entertaining from first to last. — News, Haiti, 
more , Md. 

Will undoubtedly prove a favorite with the boys. — Advertiser, Newark, N.J. 

No ,morej popular book for boys could .be imagined just at this time.«* 
Christian Endeavor World, 


American Boys’ Biographical Series 

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 


VOLUME ONE 

AMERICAN BOYS' 

LIFE OF WILLIAM McKINLEY 

300 pages Illustrated by A. B. Shute and from Photo- 
graphs $1.25 

H ERE is told the whole story of McKihley’s boyhood days, his life 
at school and at college, his work as a school teacher, his glorious 
career in the army, his struggles to obtain a footing as a lawyer, 
his efforts as a Congressman and a Governor, and lastly his prosperous 
career as our President, all told in a style particularly adapted to beys and 
young men. The book is full of interesting anecdotes, all taken from 
life, showing fully the sincere, honest, painstaking efforts of a life cut all 
too short. The volume will prove an inspiration to all boys and young 
men, and should be in every library. 

For nearly a year Mr. Stratemeyer has been gathering material and 
giving careful study to the life of the young William, his childhood, his 
boyhood, and all his inspiring and romantic history. The story was near- 
ing its end when the awful finale came and tragedy ended the drama of 
President McKinley’s life. — New York Journal . 

VOLUME TWO 

AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

THEODORE ROOSEVELT 

300 pages 1 2mo Illustrated from Photographs $1.25 

T HIS excellent work for young 
people covers the whole life of 
our strenuous executive, as school- 
boy, college student, traveler, author, 
hunter and ranchman, as assembly- 
man, as civil service commissioner, 
as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 
as a daring rough rider, as Governor 
of New York, and lastly as President. 
Full of stories taken from real life 
and told in a manner to interest both 
young and old. 

We unreservedly recommend Mr. Strate- 
nwyer’s books ior boys. They are wholesome, accurate as to historical 
and always interesting .— Boston Tints* 




PAN-AMERICAN SERIES 

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 


VOLUME ONE 

LOST ON THE ORINOCO 

Or American Boys in Venezuela 

12mo Cloth Illustrated Price $1.25 

T HIS volume tells of five American youths, who, with their tutor, sail 
from New York to La Guayra, touching at Curafao on the way. 
They visit Caracas, go westward to the Gulf of Maracaibo and lake of 
the same name, and at last find themselves in the region of the mighty 
Orinoco, and of course they have some exciting experiences, one of which 
gives name to the book. 

Its pictures of South American life and acenery are navel and inetructive*— 
The Literary World, Boston. 

The scenes described are of the sort to charm the hearts of adventurous boy*.— 
The Outlook, N. T. 


VOLUME TWO 

THE YOUNG VOLCANO EXPLORERS 

Or American Boys in the West Indies 

12mo Cloth Illustrated Price $1.25 

T*HE boys, with their tutor, sail from Venezuela to the West Indies, 
* stopping at Jamaica, Cuba, Hayti, and Porto Rico. They hare 
numerous adventures on the way, and then set out for St. Pierre, Mar- 
tinique, where they encounter the effects of the eruption of Mt. Pelee, 
and two of the boys are left on a raft to shift for themselves. Life in the 
West Indies is well portrayed. 


VOLUME THREE 


YOUNG EXPLORERS OF THE ISTHMUS 
Or American Boys in Central America 

306 pages Cloth Illustrated by A. B. Shute Price $1.25 


"DELATES adventures in a tour covering Nicaragua, Costa Rica, 
and the Isthmus of Panama. The party travel the various canal 
routes, and have a number of highly interesting experiences. The vol- 
ume contains a vast amount of timely information, and will be read with 
interest by young men as well as boys. 


PAN-AMERICAN SERIES 

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 


VOLUME FOUR 

YOUNG EXPLORERS OF THE AMAZON 
Or American Boys in Brazil 

300 pages 12mo Illustrated by A. B. Shute Price $1.25 

A N absorbing tale of sight-seeing and adventures in 
Brazil. The five boys and their tutor travel the 
whole seacoast from Rio de Janeiro to Para, and then 
move up the Amazon into the rubber country and beyond. 
The volume is filled with pen-pictures of life as it exists 
in Brazil to-day, and will be heartily enjoyed by all young 
people. 

The Pan-American Series by Edward Stratemeyer has been declared by 
the boys of this country to be the most up-to-date of all reading for the 
young. Filled with action and good fellowship. — Wavcrley Magaxine . 

VOLUME FIVE 

TREASURE SEEKERS OF THE ANDES 

Or American Boys in Peru 

310 page* Illustrated by Charles Nuttall Price $1.25 

T HIS volume takes the young explorers from the head 
of the Amazon River to the coast of Peru and then 
into the mighty snow-topped mountains. One of the boys 
obtains possession of a secret regarding a Spanish treasure 
and, with a companion, goes in quest of the same, and both 
get lost in a series of caves. The volume is up-to-date and 
will please both young and old. 

Mr. Stratemeyer has acquired the art of weaving a good deal of solid 
inforaaation with his web ©f startling advanture. — San Frmncit* Bulletin. 


Tlit boys’ delight— the " Old Glory Series.”— The Christian Advocate , N.T. 

THE OLD GLORY SERIES 

BY EDWARD STRATEMEYER 


FIRST VOLUME 

UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA 

Or The War Fortunes of a Castaway 

Cloth Illustrated by A. B. Shute Price $1.25 

T HIS book, published in September, 1898, at once sprang to the front 
as the greatest success among books for boys since the famous Army 
and Navy series by “ Oliver Optic,” and its popularity has steadily in- 
creased as the succeeding volumes of the series have appeared. 

Edward Stratemeyer weaves the incidents of the naval conflict at Manila into a 
narrative of experiences and adventure which is wholesome in spirit and full of 
excitement, ana which the boys will like. — Congregationalist. 

SECOND VOLUME 

A YOUNG VOLUNTEER IN CUBA 

Or Fighting for the Single Star 

Cloth Illustrated by A. B. Shute Price $1.25 

T HE career of Larry Russell, as recorded in “Under Dewey at 
Manila,” was the hit of the season among juveniles. The fortunes 
of Larry are equalled in interest by the adventures of Ben, his older 
brother, and his friend, Gilbert Pennington, and the many exciting scenes 
through which they passed during their service in the army. Ben enlisted 
in a New York volunteer regiment, while Gilbert joined Colonel Roosevelt’s 
famous Rough Riders. Their life in camp, the capture of El Caney, the 
charge at San Juan hill, are all vividly described. 

Mr. Stratemeyer’s boys are clean, manly fellows, and deserve the popularity 
which doubtless awaits them. — Christian Register . 

THIRD VOLUME 

FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS 

Or Under Schley on the 4 ' Brooklyn' * 

Cloth Illustrated by A. B. Shute Price $1.25 

F T this book Walter Russell, brother to Larry and Ben, the respective 
heroes of the two preceding volumes of the series, finds his way to 
Boston, secures employment, enlists in the navy, and is assigned to the 
“ Brooklyn.” Then follow intensely interesting chapters, telling of Com- 
modore Schley, the routine life of the “ Jackies,” and blockade and dis- 
covery of Cervera’s fleet, followed by the memorable conflict of July 3. 

" Fighting in Cuban Waters ” is in the same hearty, manly spirit that has mad# 
the other volumes of the Old Glory Series so much liked. — journal of Education. 


THE COLONIAL SERIES 

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 

Author of Pan-American Series,” et Old Glory Series ,** 
“ American Boys' Biographical Series etc . 

Six volumes Cloth Illustrated Price per volume, $1.25 


WITH WASHINGTON IN THE WEST 
Or A Soldier Boy's Battles in the Wilderness 

MARCHING ON NIAGARA 
Or The Soldier Boys of the Old Frontier 

AT THE FALL OF MONTREAL 
Or A Soldier Boy's Final Victory 

ON THE TRAIL OF PONTIAC 
Or The Pioneer Boys of the Ohio 

THE FORT IN THE WILDERNESS 
Or The Soldier Boys of the Indian Trails 

TRAIL AND TRADING POST 
Or The Young Hunters of the Ohio 

“ Mr. Stratemeyer has put his best work into the ‘ Colonial Series.’ ” 
— - Christian Register , Boston . 

“A series that doesn’t fall so very far short of being history itself.” 
— . Boston Courier. 

“The tales of war are incidental to the dramatic adventures of two 
bays* so well told that the historical facts are all the better remem- 
bered.” — Boston Globe. 

“Edward Stratemeyer has in many volumes shown himself master 
of the art of producing historic studies in the pleasing story form.” 
— Minneapolis Journal. 

“ The author, Edward Stratemeyer, has used his usual care in matters 
of historical detail and accuracy, and gives a splendid picture of the 
times in general.” — Milwaukee Sentinel. 

“ Told by one who knows how to write so as to interest boys, while 
still having a care as to accuracy.” — Commercial Advertiser , New York . 

For sale by all booksellers , or sent , postpaidy on receipt oj price by 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO, 
BOSTON 



The Stratemeyer Popular Series 


12 volumes Illustrated and handsomely bound in gold and colors 
Attractive new cover designs Price $.75 per volume 

S INCE the passing of Henty, Edward 
Stratemeyer is the most widely read 
of all living writers for the young, and 
each year extends the vast and enthusi- 
astic throng. In obedience to the popular 
demand we have established this Popular 
Series comprising twelve representative 
books by this great writer, on which 
special prices can be made. The stories 
are bright and breezy, moral in tone, and 
while full of adventure, are not sensational. 

i. The Last Cruise of the Spitfire or Luke Foster’s Strange 
Voyage 

2. Reuben Stone’s Discovery Or The Young Miller of Tor- 
rent Bend 

3. True to Himself Or Roger Strong’s Struggle for Place 

4. Richard Dare’s Venture Or Striking Out for Himself 

5. Oliver Bright’s Search Or the Mystery of a Mine 

6. To Alaska for Gold Or The Fortune Hunters of the Yukon 

7. The Young Auctioneer Or The Polishing of a Rolling 
Stone 

8. Bound to be an Electrician Or Franklin Bell’s Success 

9. Shorthand Tom the Reporter Or The Exploits of a Bright 
Boy 

10. Fighting for His Own Or The Fortunes of a Young Artist 

11. Joe, the Surveyor Or the Value of a Lost Claim 

12. Larry, the Wanderer Or the Rise of a Nobody 



Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co., Boston 





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